Assessment of the endoscopic semitendinosus/gracilis autograft procedure with interference screw fixation for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Abstract

The semitendinosus/gracilis autograft procedure with interference screw fixation was evaluated for clinical effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Thirty patients underwent the procedure and were evaluated an average of 15 months postoperatively. Results revealed 22 (73%) patients had a standard knee evaluation form score of normal or nearly normal, and 24 (80%) patients returned to strenuous or moderate activity levels. Average Lysholm outcome score was 89, and bilateral KT-2000 differences were <3 mm at follow-up. Functional knee test symmetry index percentage outcome for the one-legged hop test was 92.6% for distance and 98% for time. Length of time (i.e., < or =90 days or > or =91 days) between injury and surgery was independent of outcome. These findings indicate the semitendinosus/gracilis autograft is a viable procedure for reconstruction of the ACL-deficient knee.