Prospective Comparison between Remnant-Preserving Augmentation and Double-Bundle Reconstruction in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

Purpose: To prospectively compare the clinical outcomes of remnant-preserving augmentation (RPA) and double-bundle reconstruction (DBR) in patients with ACL tears.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed 42 cases of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a follow-up period of 6 month, 12 month and 24 month. There were 13 cases of remnant-preserving augmentation and 29 cases of double-bundle reconstruction. We clinically compared the preoperative and postoperative range of motion, Knee Society Score (KSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Lysholm score, Tegner activity score, Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), thigh and calf circumference and anterior translation (Using the KT-1000 knee arthrometer).

Results: There were no significant differences in Lysholm score, Tegner score, VAS or KSS between the 2 groups at any time. The KT-1000 arthrometer results were higher in the RPA group at 6 month compared to the DBR group however it did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions: We found no significant differences between the two specific groups studied leading us to believe that RPA may play a role in reconstruction when only a single bundle is injured.

Keywords: ACL; Partial; reconstruction; Remnant preserving; Double bundle; Augmentation