Toshikazu Kubo, Kunio Hara, Takehiko Suginoshita, Choji Shimizu, Takashi Tsujihara and Hiroaki Honda
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto Interdisciplinary Institute Hospital of Community Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

Yasusuke Hirasawa Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural
University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan

Clinical results of our reconstruction technique for anterior cruciate ligament using the double bundle, i.e., the combination of bone-tendon-bone (BTB) from the patellar tendon and semitendinosus tendon (ST), were evaluated. BTB was fixed in the tunnels produced on the isometric points on the tibia and femur, and ST, on the tibial tunnel through the same route as BTB. Throughout the observation period, no patients developed pain, limited range of motion, and/or instability of the operated knee. All patients were able to return to previous sports activities within 12 months. No apparent changes occurred on the reconstructed ligament. In 4 of 14 patients, knee stability was quantitatively examined, and a good result was obtained. The double bundle was found to be a useful method for patients who require physiologically more durable reconstruction.

Key words: anterior cruciate ligament; double bundle; reconstruction