ARTHROSCOPIC-ASSISTED OUTPATIENT ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION USING THE SEMITENDINOSUS AND GRACILIS TENDONS

This study presents an average of 43-month results (range, 23 to 75 mo nths) of 82 arthroscopically assisted, outpatient semitendinosus-graci lis anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions evaluated with the Cinc innati Knee Rating System. There were 44 acute and 38 chronic injuries . The results showed no significant effect of injury chronicity on all outcome variables except knee motion complications. Additionally, no significant difference was found between men and women in regards to o utcome. At follow-up, 93% showed complete or partial graft function, 9 8% had a full range of knee motion, 83% had returned to sports with no problems, and 92% rated their knee condition as normal or very good. The mean overall point score (0 to 100 scale) for all patients was 92 +/- 10 points. All patients with chronic injuries showed improvement f rom their preoperative status, including II who had articular cartilag e lesions. Complications were few; only five patients (6%) needed addi tional treatment for limitation of knee motion, and no patient had an increase in patellofemoral crepitus. We concluded that this procedure produced desirable results and that patients with long-standing functi onal limitations significantly improved and were able to return to an active lifestyle.