All-Inside Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Quadrupled Semitendinosus: Comparable 2-Year Outcomes in Male and Female Patients.

PURPOSE

To determine 2-year functional outcomes using an all-inside quadrupled semitendinosus anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction technique in male and female patients.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients who underwent quadrupled semitendinosus all-inside hamstring ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon were enrolled. Patient-reported outcome scores collected preoperatively and postoperatively included visual analog scale, Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12; Physical and Mental), Marx Activity Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).

RESULTS

A total of 100 ACL reconstructions comprising 62 female, and 38 male patients were included in this study. Mean graft diameter was 9.4 mm in female and 9.8 mm in male patients (range, 9-11). Outcome scores demonstrated improvement from preoperative to 2-year postoperative respectively: visual analog scale pain 3.18, 1.07, VR-12 physical 36.35, 52.64, VR-12 mental 53.96, 54.65, KOOS pain 59.17, 89.03, KOOS symptoms 52.64, 80.79, KOOS Activities of Daily Living 69.38, 95.4, KOOS Sport 28.97, 81.25, KOOS Quality of Life 27.54, 71.56, WOMAC Pain 71.56, 92.65, WOMAC Stiffness 60.55, 84.13, and WOMAC Function 69.38, 95.4. Marx activity score decreased from baseline (10.98) to 2 years' postoperatively (8.75). At 2 years, patient expectations were met or exceeded with regards to pain (94%), motion and strength (91%), normal function of daily living (95%), and return to sport (79%).

CONCLUSIONS

Anatomic all-inside quadrupled semitendinosus ACL reconstruction improves functional outcomes similarly to previous studies between baseline and clinical follow-up at 1-year and 2-years postoperatively and is comparable in both male and female patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.