Arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using allograft tendon |
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Authors: | R A Wainer T J Clarke G G Poehling |
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Affiliation: | Department of Surgery, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103. |
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Abstract: | Treatment of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee using an arthroscopic technique and freeze-dried allograft tendons in 23 patients was studied prospectively. Accurate placement of drill holes and anchoring positions for the allografts was effected through a standard arthroscopic approach combined with a 3 cm incision on the medial tibial flare. Candidates for reconstruction were those who were unable to tolerate brace therapy and who had no degenerative arthritis. The 23 patients were drawn from a group of 60 treated patients because their follow-up had been greater than or equal to 1 year. Their knees were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with a Lysholm knee rating scale, Lachman test with KT-1000 arthrometric quantitation, pivot shift, Biodex test, and radiographs. Knee rating values improved in all knees, and only one patient had a significant deterioration in the KT-1000 reading. All patients with at least 20 months follow-up have resumed their preinjury activity levels. |
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