Summary
The combination of ACL reconstruction and ACI leads to good clinical results with a success rate of more than 90%.
Abstract
Introduction
An ACL rupture with full size articular cartilage lesion is rare but a severe knee injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of combined ACL and ACI surgery.
Material And Methods
33 patients with combined ACL- and full size articular femoral cartilage lesion were included in this retrospective study. 20 patients had a primary ACL reconstruction, 13 patients ACL revision surgery. In 19 patients the ACI was performed simultaneously to the ACL reconstruction, in 14 patients 6-7 weeks after ACL reconstruction. 5 patients had an additional HTO. F/u consisted of a clinical examination, stability measurement and MRI.
Results
33 patients were available for f/u a minimum of 1 year postoperatively (range 1 to 10 years). 30 patients showed a stable knee with good cartilage healing on MRI. One patient sustained a new trauma 3 years postop and had revision ACL and ACI surgery. Two more patients had a Re-ACI 9 to 24 months after index surgery. The revision rate was 3% for ACL-R and 9% for ACI.
Discussion
The combination of ACL reconstruction and ACI leads to good clinical results. The additional ACI with 7-8 weeks of partial weight bearing seems not to compromise the result of the ACL reconstruction, nor the range of motion. ACI was successful in more than 90%, indicating a good healing environment with ACL reconstruction.