Outcomes from different aspects indicate the all-inside technique may serve as an ideal option for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the postoperative outcomes of the all-inside technique in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

METHODS

Patients who underwent ACLR using the all-inside technique between 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively assessed. All patients were followed up for at least 2 years. Functional recovery and pain relief were assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Instrumented laxity was assessed via side-to-side difference using the Kneelax3 arthrometer. Graft maturity was estimated using the signal-to-noise quotient value based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Adverse events during and after the surgery were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 78 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 28.1 ± 7.6 years. The IKDC (p < 0.001), Lysholm (p < 0.001) and KOOS (p < 0.001 for all subgroups) scores at the final follow-up were significantly higher than those before the surgery. The VAS scores (p < 0.05) were significantly lower than those before surgery. The side-to-side difference results indicated that 50 patients had a difference of less than 3 mm, indicating a tight graft, whereas only 1 patient had a difference of >5 mm, indicating a loose graft. The median signal-to-noise quotient of the graft on MRI was 1.4 (P25, P75: 1.0, 2.0). No intraoperative adverse events were observed. Postoperative adverse events included three cases of infection, three cases of graft rerupture, two cases of cyclops lesion and one case of surgical intervention for a meniscal tear.

CONCLUSION

ACLR using the all-inside technique offers promising results in patients with ACL rupture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.