ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION - ENDOSCOPIC VERSUS 2-INCISION TECHNIQUE

The purpose of this study was to compare the single-incision, ''endosc opic'' (ENDO) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction techniqu e with the two-incision, ''rear-entry'' technique (RE). Sixty patients were entered into a prospective study. Thirty patients underwent ACL reconstruction by the RE technique, followed by 30 consecutive patient s using the ENDO procedure. Postoperatively all patients followed a st andardized rehabilitation protocol. Follow-up evaluation consisted of a detailed physical examination, range of motion, thigh girth, vertica l leap, hop test, KT-1000 testing, and patient interview. They were sc ored according to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC ) protocol, which takes objective and subjective data into account. Pa tients were also assessed for level of sports activity including frequ ency and type. Finally, anteroposterior and lateral x-ray films were e valuated with a scoring system for tunnel location. Of the initial 60 patients entered into the study, 50 were available for a detailed clin ical and functional review (83%). Demographic comparisons revealed 24 RE patients and 26 ENDO patients. There were 16 men and 8 women in the RE group. The ENDO group comprised 16 men and 10 women. There were 14 right knees and 10 left knees in the RE group. In the ENDO group ther e were 13 right knees and 13 left knees. The average age in the RE gro up was 24 years and 25 years in the ENDO group. The average follow-up was 35 months (range 31-40 months) in the RE group and 29 months (rang e 24-35 months) in the ENDO group. Complications included two patients with loss of motion in the RE group and three in the ENDO group. Ther e were no significant differences between the two groups tested with r espect to the overall IKDC rating scale. Anteroposterior and lateral x -ray films revealed no significant differences in femoral and tibial t unnel placement. In conclusion, no significant functional or radiograp hic differences at a minimum 2-year follow-up could be identified when comparing the two ACL reconstructive techniques.