Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with or without remnant preservation：a 6-month follow-up

Wang Jun; Li Yan; Yu Teng-bo; Zhang Qi-liang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.29.010

Abstract：BACKGROUND:In recent years, the number of cases of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with remnant preservation is increased year by year, but its clinical results, especialy effects on improving proprioceptive recovery after reconstruction, are stil controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with or without remnant preservation. METHODS:Totaly 146 patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were randomly divided into two groups; preserving-remnant group and removing-remnant group. Autologous hamstring tendons were selected. Evaluation of knee mobility, Lysholm score, IKDC scores and knee stability was performed before and 6, 12 months after reconstruction. Proprioception was recorded before and 3, 6 and 12 months after reconstruction. The comparative analysis was carried out on these data between the group and between affected and healthy limbs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:114 patients were folowed up for over 12 months, including 61 in the preserving-remnant group and 53 in the removing-remnant group. There were significantly statistical improvements in knee mobility, Lysholm score, IKDC score and knee stability at 6 and 12 months after reconstruction in the two groups (P < 0.01), and the Lysholm score, IKDC score and knee stability were better in the removing-remnant group than the removing-remnant group at 6 months after reconstruction (P > 0.05). The knee proprioception was significantly improved at 3, 6 and 12 months after reconstruction in the two groups (P < 0.01), and it was also better in the removing-remnant group than the removing-remnant group at 3 and 6 months after reconstruction (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with remnant preservation is beneficial to the recovery of postoperative proprioception and knee function.