Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures. Technical factors especially correct tunnel placement play major role in its success. However its failure rate is still high (10%), and impingement of the graft on the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle is an important cause of failure. Wallplasty is a technique used to prevent graft impingement, but there is no consensus on its routine use.
OBJECTIVE:
Is to compare between the postoperative knee functional outcome and stability of arthroscopic ACLR performed with wallplasty versus those performed without wallplasty.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
A prospective experimental non randomized study was performed on 32 patients (30 males and 2 females) who necessitated arthroscopic ACLR. The patients were divided into 2 groups, in group A (made of 16 patients) the reconstructions were done without wallplasty and in group B (made of 16 patients) were done with wallplasty. Three months postoperatively the two groups were compared in regard to Lasholm score changes (preoperative and postoperative), Lachman test, and Pivot shift test results.
RESULTS:
There was better improvement in Lasholm score in group B than in group A, and the difference was statistically significant (p value =0.036). Knee stability tests were better in group B than in group A, but the differences were statistically not significant.
CONCLUSION:
Wallplasty has statistically better functional outcome than non wallplasty in ACLR and it is recommended to be done routinely in all cases of ACLR.