Functional outcome of arthroscopic reconstruction of chronic anterior cruciate ligament ruptures using single-bundle triple-weaved hamstring tendons in northern Nigeria

Though anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly reconstructed ligament all over the world, its arthroscopic reconstruction was relatively less frequent in the West African sub region until recently. The patronage of the traditional bone setters in the acute phase of closed knee injuries has made Chronic ACL injury the main form of presentation with significant secondary injuries and degenerative changes from sub-optimal initial care. The aim of this study was to determine functional outcome and patient’s satisfaction from Arthroscopic chronic ACL injury repair. Diagnoses were made using clinical parameters and MRI. Lysholm scores were determined preoperatively, and repeated with patient’s satisfaction assessment (using the Likert scale) at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 months postoperatively. Arthroscopic single-bundle ACL repair using a triple-weaved hamstring tendon (s) was done for all the patients. Debridement and meniscectomy were done for various degrees of degenerative changes and irreparable meniscal injuries respectively. No one was dissatisfied and 91.4% of the patients had well to excellent Lysholm scores at 2 years of follow up. It was concluded that arthroscopic chronic ACL rupture reconstruction using single-bundle triple-weaved hamstring autografts with good rehabilitation offers good to excellent knee function and patients’ satisfaction with minimal complications.