Prediction of clinical outcomes of single- and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques using magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study is to compare the clinical results of the single-bundle (SB) and double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repairing techniques using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Thirty-eight patients were randomized by block randomization into two different groups of ACL reconstruction: DB (n=19) and SB techniques (n=19). MRI evaluation and clinical examination with modified Cincinnati Knee Rating Score and Lysholm knee scores were performed pre-operatively and at the end of a follow-up period of 36 months. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the ACL angle, posterior cruciate ligament angle, and tibial translation between the DB and the SB groups. Regarding the clinical scores, there were no significant differences between the techniques. As for the correlation of radiologic results with clinical scores in the SB group, there was a strong and significant correlation between the post-operative ACL angle values and the Lysholm clinical score (r=-0.66; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The post-operative ACL angle can predict the degree of clinical recovery in patients undergoing SB ACL reconstruction.