Primary repair plus intra-articular iliotibial band augmentation in the treatment of an acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture

Between September 1987 and November 1989, we treated 90 consecutive patients with an acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture with the multiple suture technique and iliotibial band augmentation. Seventy of these patients were re-examined 2 to 5 years after the operation (mean 3.5 years), the examination consisting of a questionnaire, clinical examination, laxity tests with the KSS machine (Acufex), radiological examination and isokinetic muscle strength testing (Cybex 6000). There were 32 men and 38 women (mean age 34 years). The injury was sustained in sports in 44 (63%) cases, and the sports most frequently involved were downhill skiing (18 cases), soccer (9 cases) and volleyball (5 cases). Of the injuries, 38 were isolated ACL ruptures and 31, ACL ruptures combined with a medial CL rupture. In 9 cases, an additional meniscus injury and in one case an additional posterior CL - lateral CL rupture was found. At the follow-up, 55 patients (79%) were satisfied with the end result, and according to our objective functional criteria 55 (79%) had an excellent or good outcome. According to the Lysholm score, 53 (76%) patients were excellent or good ( 82 points). In the Lachman test, 29 knees (41%) were completely stable. The Lachman test was mildy positive in 40 knees (57%) (36 had 1+ laxity and 4, 2+ laxity), and one patient had 3+ laxity with a hard end-point. Similarly, the anterior drawer test was negative in 53 knees (76%); and the other 17 (24%) had mild laxity (16 had 1+ laxity and 1, 2+ laxity). The total anterior-posterior laxity measured with the KSS averaged 9.7 ± 3.5 mm in the injured knee and 7.3 + 3.0 mm in the uninjured knee (the laxity measured at a knee angle of 20° of flexion). Corresponding values at a knee angle of 90° of flexion were 6.1 ± 2.4 mm and 4.7 ± 1.9 mm, respectively. The pivot shift test was negative in 62 patients (89%) and l+ positive in the remaining 8 patients (11%). Fifty-eight patients (83%) had full knee extension and 40 patients (57%), full knee flexion. Compared with the uninjured knee, the operated knees showed an average 14% strength deficit in isokinetic knee extension and 6% deficit in flexion at the speed of 60°/s. At the speed of 180°/s, the corresponding deficits were 8% and 4%, respectively. Of the 44 patients who were active in sport before the injury, 40 (91%) were able to return to sports. A flexion deficit of 5° or more was associated with thigh muscle atrophy (P < 0.05) and quadriceps weakness, both at the slow speed (P < 0.05) and high speed (P < 0.001) of the isokinetic movement. In conclusion, in an acute rupture of the ACL, primary repair of the ligament with intraarticular iliotibial band augmentation seems to be a good method to restore the functional capacity of the injured knee.