Efficacy of lateral extra-articular tenodesis on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadrupled hamstring graft: Magnetic resonance imaging evidence and clinical follow-up

Background: Isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is frequently associated with anterolateral ligament injury (ALL) and results in residual instability at follow-up. It was hypothesized that patients who underwent combined ACL and lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) reconstruction would exhibit less residual laxity, better clinical outcomes, and better graft incorporation on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well. Patient and Methods: Sixty-four patients with concomitant ACL and ALL injuries who were operated over a period of 2 years were enrolled between 2016 and 2018. Two groups of patients were evaluated prospectively. Eighteen patients in control Group B underwent anatomical ACL reconstruction alone, and 20 in test Group A underwent ACL reconstruction combined with LET. Exclusions were multiligament injuries, chondral injury, meniscus tear, and ramp lesion. Follow-up by Lysholm and modified Cincinnati knee rating was done and MRI for status of graft at least 1-year postoperative. Results: After excluding dropout or inadequate follow-up, Group A (n = 20) with ACL + LET was compared with Group B (n = 18), with isolated ACL reconstruction, at final median follow-up of 18 months. There were no significant differences between groups regarding gender, age, and duration of injury. Regarding functional outcome scores, patients in the LET group presented better results on both the clinical scoring (P < 0.0001). In addition, patients in the LET group had better graft uptake on MRI and no pivoting at physical examination. Regarding graft failures, the isolated ACL reconstruction group had 5 and the LET group had 1 failure. Conclusion: The combined ACL and LET reconstruction in patients with ACL injury is an effective and safe solution and leads to good functional outcomes with no increase in complications and aids in early return to preinjury activities with a surviving healthy graft.