The Outcome of Single and Multiple Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Failures: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the outcome of single and multiple anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft failures

Study design: A retrospective comparative study

Place and duration: This study was conducted at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base Hospital Jubail Eastern Province Saudi Arabia from January 2020 to January 2021

Methodology: In this study, only those patients were included who were going through ACL reconstruction and being examined for 10 months. Two groups of patients were formed such as “single ACL graft failure" and "multiple ACL graft failure". Measurement of PTS was done through radiography. All the PROs were also noted down such as outcome score, knee injury, ACL, and Osteoarthritis.

Results: The study included 98 patients with 50 patients of single ACL graft failure and 40 individuals diagnosed with Multiple ACL graft failure. In the case of single ACL graft failure, Quadriceps tendon autograft was used more frequently for initial revision ACL reconstruction. Single ACL graft failure has fewer complexities than multiple ACL graft failures such as worse PROs, higher PTS, and higher rates of surgery.

Conclusion: When both the ACL graft failure were studied, it was observed that multiple ACL graft failure has worse PROs and higher PTS than single ACL graft failure. To minimize repeated ACL graft failure, it is recommended to avoid allografts during the initial revision ACL repair and to choose slope-reducing osteotomies.