Comparing the anatomic single-bundle versus the anatomic double-bundle for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A prospective, randomized, single blind, clinical study

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the early results of anatomic single bundle versus double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods We conducted a prospective randomized study of anatomic single-bundle versus double-bundle ACL reconstruction using the hamstring tendons of 67 patients with unilateral ACL deficiency. The subjects were randomized into two groups. The single-bundle group consisted of 37 patients and the double-bundle group 30 patients.We used the following evaluations: clinical examination, KT-1000 arthrometry, Tegner knee score, modified Cincinnati score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scale (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Two surgeons performed all operations, and a blinded independent author conducted the clinical follow-up assessments. Results The mean follow-up period was 25.8 months. The differences between the preoperative and postoperative clinical examinations and the KT-1000 measurements were statistically different in both groups (p <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Tegner knee scores, modified Cincinnati scores, and KOOS and IKDC scores showed statistically significant improvement in both groups (p <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Conclusions This prospective study found no difference between the outcomes of the anatomic single-bundle and the anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstructions. Level of evidence II.