Purpose
The purpose was to prospectively compare the outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) reconstruction using bone-tendon Achilles allograft with those of free tendon
Achilles allograft in 2 groups of active young men.
Methods
We enrolled 72 subjects in the study. Of these, 33 subjects who had ACL reconstruction
with Achilles allograft with calcaneal bone block on its end (group I) and 34 who
had ACL reconstruction with free tendon Achilles allograft (group II) were followed
up for a minimum of 2 years. The Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and 1-leg hop test
were evaluated at the last follow-up. The International Knee Documentation Committee
classification, Lysholm score, and side-to-side difference were assessed preoperatively
and at the last follow-up. The Tegner activity scale was evaluated before injury and
at the last follow-up.
Results
The mean follow-up period was 30.9 months (range, 26 to 38 months). At the last follow-up,
there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups for the Lachman
test, pivot-shift test, 1-leg hop test, International Knee Documentation Committee
classification, Lysholm score, and side-to-side difference (P > .05). Three subjects in group I and three in group II showed an activity level
2 steps below the preinjury activity level. The rest of the subjects returned to the
preinjury activity level or showed a level 1 step below the preinjury activity level.
Conclusions
There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes of ACL reconstructions
using Achilles allograft between the bone-tendon group and the free tendon group in
active young men. Free tendon Achilles allograft may be considered an option for ACL
reconstruction.
Level of Evidence
Level II, therapeutic study, randomized controlled trial.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 30, 2013
Accepted:
October 23,
2012
Received:
February 23,
2012
Footnotes
The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest in the authorship and publication of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
