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No major differences found between anatomic ligament repair and triangular ligament reconstruction
Anatomic ligament repair and triangular ligament reconstruction were not found to result in any major differences in terms of short-term IKDC scores and medial opening evaluations, according to study results.
Sixty-nine patients with an acute grade III medial collateral ligament tear combined with an ACL tear underwent either anatomic ligament repair (ALR) or triangular ligament reconstruction (TLR) between January 2009 and October 2011. All patients also underwent single-bundle ACL reconstruction. Excessive medial opening of the knee was determined using a radiographic stress-position imaging test, and the Slocum test was used to assess anteromedial rotatory instability before surgery and at follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 34 months.
Results showed a significant decrease in measurement results for medial opening from pretreatment measurements to the last follow-up appointment, with measurements falling in normal range without a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The researchers also found a reduction in the overall incidence of anteromedial rotatory instability from 62.5% preoperatively to 21.9% postoperatively.
Compared with the ALR group, the TLR group experienced a significant decrease in the incidence of anteromedial rotatory instability. After surgery, the researchers found significantly improved IKDC subjective scores among all patients, and no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups at last follow-up. Results also showed no significant differences between the two groups when comparing IKDC extension and flexion deficit.
Although 11 patients in the ALR group and four in the TLR group complained of medial knee pain, the researchers found no significant differences when comparing the two groups. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.