2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (34): 5482-5485

Relationship between graft diameter and knee function in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Luo Xuehui, Du Shaolong   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The functional rehabilitation of patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is related to various factors, such as different reconstruction methods, anterior cruciate ligament graft shape and diameter, and different types of anterior cruciate ligament graft. Related clinical studies suggest that the diameter of the graft is 7-10 mm; the larger the diameter, the better the knee joint recovery function and the fewer complications.
OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between graft diameter and knee function in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.  
METHODS: A total of 90 patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture in Sanshui Hospital of Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from March 2018 to January 2020 were selected. Autogenous tendons were used for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. According to the diameter size of the autologous tendon braided in the knee joint, they were divided into 7 mm group (n=26), 8 mm group (n=43) and 9 mm group (n=21). The patients were followed up for 1 year. IKDC and Lysholm were used to assess knee function. The stability of knee joint was evaluated by KT-1000 and posterior cruciate ligament index. The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Sanshui Hospital of Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) IKDC score and Lysholm score of the 8 mm group were higher than those of the 7 mm group and the 9 mm group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the 7 mm group and the 9 mm group in the IKDC score and Lysholm score (P > 0.05). (2) Tibial anteversion distance in KT-1000 test and the posterior cruciate ligament index of the 7 mm group were greater than those of the 8 mm group and 9 mm group (P < 0.05). The posterior cruciate ligament index of the 8 mm group was less than that of the 9 mm group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in tibial anteversion distance in KT-1000 test between the 8 mm group and 9 mm group (P > 0.05). (3) Results suggest that in patients with simple anterior cruciate ligament injury of the knee, the reconstructed diameter of 8 mm and 9 mm has better stability of the knee joint. The reconstructed diameter of 8 mm has better function. Smaller or larger diameter may affect the functional recovery of patients with certain factors.
Key words: anterior cruciate ligament, graft diameter, knee function, reconstruction, knee joint, single-beam reconstruction, pathology of the impact