Comparison of arthroscopic and open reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. Early results.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine in a prospective, randomized, blinded design whether arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction offered any significant immediate or short-term advantages over traditional open reconstruction through a limited arthrotomy. Patients with a diagnosis of deficiency of the anterior cruciate ligament were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: the open group (limited open reconstruction) or the arthroscopic group (fully arthroscopic reconstruction). Postoperatively, both groups were treated identically. Intra- and postoperative observations included length of surgery, duration of hospitalization, and amount of pain medication. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 1, 6, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks to record crepitus, swelling, range of motion, ligament laxity, and thigh atrophy. Lysholm scores were obtained at the 16 and 24 week follow-ups. At 24 weeks, 86% of the open group and 89% of the arthroscopic group had good-to-excellent results. Intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up findings indicated no statistically significant differences or relationships between the two groups in any of the variables measured, except that operative time was 13 minutes longer in the arthroscopic group (P < 0.001). The results do not substantiate a clinical advantage for either technique.