Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common among active individuals, and mostly associated with other complex injuries in the knee. ACL reconstruction is vital for normal knee function. The treatment of ACL injuries of knee depend on many factors including Age of the patients, degree of laxity, level of activities and associated injuries .
OBJECTIVE:
To assess outcome after conservative management of ACL tear. Moreover, determine the patients who need reconstruction, and the best time to perform surgery.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Prospective study of 72 patients who had unilateral ACL tear, 61 males and 11females (age 18-40Y). 56 patients started management with rehabilitation program without reconstructive surgery, 12of them have underwent surgery after that because of unsatisfied outcome. ACLR performed for 28 patients 7 of them were female, complete ACL tear was observed in 21patients. Hamstring graft by one-incision technique were used: same protocol of rehabilitation was followed postoperatively. This study has been achieved in Al Shaheed Ghazi Al Hariri Hospital.
RESULT:
Average follow up period of 18 months, 78.5% of patient with rehabilitation (no ACLR) had good functional result. While all patients with ACLR have been satisfied where 85% of them return to their activity at level of I and II sport and 97% of quadriceps girth gaining compared to the sound side also observed at the end of follow up period.
CONCLUSION:
Not all ACL tear need surgical reconstruction. It is indicated for high-risk life style and repeated attacks of giving way. There is no differences between early and late reconstruction.