Slight graft laxity five months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can be a risk factor for graft injury within two years in young patients.

Background: Young and highly active athletes are at high risk of second anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The high frequency of second injuries after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction among the young population is influenced by various factors, such as sex, age, return-to-play time, and graft selection.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2019, 108 primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions under 20 years, involving 48 knees using a hamstring tendon autograft and 60 knees using a bone-patellar tendon autograft, were performed by a single surgeon. The incidence and risk factors affecting postoperative graft injury within two years after surgery were compared with those of non-graft injury knees. After univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the independent predictive factors.

Results: Graft rupture occurred in 11.1 % (12/108) of cases. Univariate analysis indicated that postoperative glide-grade Lachman and the pivot shift test, and tibial anterior translation with a mean of 2.7 mm at 5 months post-surgery were sustained in the graft injury group compared with the non-graft injury group with a mean of 1.2 mm. Logistic regression analysis identified that an excessive instrumental anterior tibial translation at 5 months (odds ratio = 2.67; 95 % confidence intervals = 1.45-4.91; p = 0.0016) increased the risk of graft injury. Graft selection or quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength did not influence graft injury.

Conclusion: In young patients, postoperative residual anterior tibial translation after ACL reconstruction is a risk factor for graft injury, even if the amount of graft laxity is small. Graft selection or muscle strength did not affect graft injury.

Level of evidence: Level Ⅳ.