Editorial Commentary: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Revisited … Do We Need A Paradigm Shift?

Abstract

This commentary discusses a brief history of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair using a variety of techniques, including open primary repair, arthroscopic repair, and bridge-enhanced ACL repair. Concerns are raised about the current reported outcomes of primary ACL repair. There is a need for controlled prospective studies that assess the structural integrity of the repaired ligament using modern imaging techniques, physical examination, and KT-1000 testing. Caution should be used when interpreting published studies that rely solely on patient-reported outcome measures.