Remnant-Sparing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Results in Similar Clinical, Functional, and Quality-of-Life Outcomes to Anatomic Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Purpose: To compare a large cohort of patients who underwent remnant-sparing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (rACLR) with a matched group of patients who underwent anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with respect to clinical laxity, patient-reported outcomes, and functional testing. Methods: Patients who underwent rACLR between January 2010 and December 2015 were matched according to age, sex, body mass index, and graft type to patients who underwent ACLR. The primary outcome measure was the ACL Quality of Life (ACL-QOL) score at final follow-up of 24 months. Secondary outcomes included functional tests and clinical laxity measurements at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Concurrent intra-articular pathology at the time of surgery and postoperative complications were also recorded. Statistical analyses included the dependent t test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: A total of 210 rACLR patients were successfully matched to a corresponding cohort of 210 ACLR patients. There were no statistically significant differences in ACL Quality of Life (ACL-QOL) or functional testing results between the groups; however, scores in both groups showed a steady and statistically significant improvement over time. A statistically significant difference was noted with respect to the Lachman test findings, favoring the rACLR cohort (Z = –2.79, P = .005); no between-group difference was seen for the pivot-shift test (Z = –0.36, P = .72). The rACLR group had a significantly lower rate of concurrent meniscal and chondral injury. There was no difference in complications between the groups (Z = –0.49, P = .63). Conclusions: There was no difference in patient-reported or functional testing outcomes in patients undergoing remnant-sparing compared with anatomic single-bundle ACLR. There was, however, a significantly lower rate of positive Lachman test findings after rACLR. Furthermore, the rate of concurrent meniscal and chondral pathology was lower in the rACLR group. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.