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Study: Radiographs after ACL reconstruction should not be considered routine practice
Recently published data indicated postoperative radiographs after ACL reconstruction were not cost-effective, did not provide any further or important clinical information, and did not benefit patients’ care.
From January 2010 to December 2010, the researchers retrospectively reviewed radiographs from 30 days after surgery of 340 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction. Utilizing radiographic results, the researchers evaluated whether the surgeon changed the patients’ weight-bearing status, created any limitations in the patients’ range of motion, decided whether additional surgery was necessary, or changed or deviated from the routine postoperative course of action.
The researchers also evaluated whether complications reported at the postoperative follow-up were severe enough to merit a change in postoperative care. Additionally, the researchers determined the total cost for the performance and evaluation of radiographs.
According to the researchers, there were no complications observed in the radiographs, and none of the patients needed a change in postoperative care. The researchers did not observe a change in weight-bearing status or any limitations in range of motion, and no additional surgery was needed.
There were three patients who had retears postoperatively at 9 months, 11 months and 14 months. Two patients needed the hardware removed after 2 years. The total cost for evaluation of radiographs was $14,490.80, and a routine radiograph with three views for each patient was approximately $42.62, according to the researchers. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Stucken reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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Stucken C, et al. Orthopedics. 2015;doi: 10.3928/01477447-20150402-90