D Chaudhary, P Monga, D Joshi, R Easwaran, N Bhatia, AK Singh
Arthroscopy and Sports Injury Clinic, Central Institute of Orthopaedics, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi 110029, India

Purpose. To review the results of patients who underwent arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) via a single incision technique using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft.

Methods. Patients with ACL-deficient knees who were symptomatic and wanted to maintain an active lifestyle or continue sporting activities were included. ACL reconstruction using the bone-patellar tendon-bone graft was performed on 100 patients. One-year followup was completed in 78 patients who were then reviewed. The mean age of patients reviewed was 26.8 years (range, 21-39 years), of whom 35 (44.9%) were aged between 26 and 30 years. There were 73 men and 5 women (ratio, 14.6:1). Injuries on the right side outnumbered those on the left (44 versus 34). Sports injuries accounted for 66.7% (n=52) of patients, motor vehicle accidents and household injuries accounted for 30.8% (n=24) and 2.6% (n=2), respectively.

Results. Excellent and good-to-excellent results were achieved in 7 (9%) and 61 (78.2%) of patients. Residual anterior knee pain (n=18) was the most common complication, followed by difficulty in regaining full range of motion (n=10) and divergence of femoral screw (n=9).

Conclusion. This procedure provides consistent and reproducible results in carefully selected patients and allows them an early return to sporting activities with minimal residual morbidity.