Editorial Commentary: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Success Must Be Defined Including Patient-Reported Outcome, Functional and Structural Outcome, Avoidance of Early Adverse Events, and Avoidance of Graft Failure.

Abstract

Successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires definition. Some focus on return to sport or early return to sport. Others focus on reproduction of normal ACL anatomy or biomechanics. Recent focus includes restoration of secondary stabilizers. However, each new focus can have positive, but also adverse, consequences. In general, positive results in 4 categories are equally important for the success of ACL reconstruction: early adverse events, patient-reported outcomes, ACL graft failure/recurrent ligament disruption, and clinical measures of knee function and structure. We are moving the needle to achieve the "best" ACL reconstruction, but we should never change treatment based on one parameter or "fashion."