Early versus late reconstruction for anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Results after five years of followup.

We investigated the clinical and laxity testing results at 5 years' followup in patients who had early or late anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Twenty-three patients (Group I) were treated within 15 days of injury. Fifty-nine patients (Group II) were treated more than 3 months after injury. Patellar tendon reconstruction and fascia lata graft augmented with a ligament augmentation device were the techniques used in both groups. According to the International Knee Documentation Committee rating scale, 17 patients in Group I and 38 patients in Group II had satisfactory results. The Lysholm score was good in all Group I patients and in 55 Group II patients. Flexion-extension deficits were comparable for both groups. Eighteen patients (78%) in Group I demonstrated satisfactory results according to the KT-2000 arthrometer testing, compared with 44 (75%) in Group II. No associated lesions were present in 12 (52%) cases in Group I, compared with 26 (44%) cases in Group II. Return to sports at the preoperative level was obtained by 21 (91%) patients in Group I, compared with 42 (71%) in Group II. The patients who had reconstruction during the early phase returned to sports activities sooner and had better clinical and laxity testing results.