Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND: Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury is one of the most common injuries of the knee and reconstruction is a commonly done surgical procedure. Successful outcome depend on factors that affects the stability like anatomic graft placement and secure fixation and other factors that affects the proprioception and revascularization of the graft like preservation of the ACL remnant which is used to reduce repeated graft rupture.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of saving of ACL remnant versus none saving on functional outcome and stability of the knee joint postoperatively.
PATIENTSANDMETHODS: A prospective comparative non randomized study was used on 30 patients (28 male and 2 female) who underwent arthroscopic ACLR. The patients were divided into 2 groups (A and B), in group A (15 patients), reconstruction was done without saving of ACL remnant and in group B (15 patients), saving of the ACL remnant was performed. In one year follow up the result was compared according to the anterior drawer, Lachman, Pivot shift tests and Lasholm score changes (preoperative and postoperative).
RESULTS: Regarding to Lasholm score the result was better in group B than in group A which was statistically significant (p value = 0.025). The knee stability was better in group B than in group A which was statistically insignificant.
CONCLUSION:
It is recommended to save the ACL remnant if possible with better knee joint functions and less repeated graft rupture.