Functional Outcome of Arthroscopic Reconstruction of Single Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament with 5 Strand Hamstring Autograft

Background: Most commonly reconstructed ligament of knee is Anterior Cruciate Ligament that aims to halt or minimise the number of instability episodes 1. Testing with biomechanical parameters has shown that there is correlation between graft cross-sectional area and maximum load to failure 2. This study attempts to analyse the functional outcome of ACL reconstruction with 5 strands of hamstring autograft. Aims and Objectives: This study is based on hypothesis that larger graft will be stronger, stiffer providing better functional outcome. Materials & Methods: 35 Patients having ACL injury were treated at a tertiary care hospital; using a 5-strand hamstring graft, fixed with suspensory fixation at femoral side and aperture fixation at the tibial side. Cases were diagnosed with ACL on clinical examination & MRI. Tegner-lyshom score and International Knee Documentation Committee - Orthopaedic Scores (IKDC) is used post-operatively to grade the functional outcome of an ACL reconstruction. Results: Male predominance was observed in study subjects than female with left side slightly more commonly involved than right. Laterality didn’t influenced outcome. Graft diameter observed is 9mm in 68.6%, 8 mm and 10 mm was observed in 11.4% and 20% respectively. Lysholm score at baseline was 41.63 which increased progressively to 93.45 at the end of 9 months. The IKDC score at baseline was 32.5 which increased progressively to 83.45 at the end of 12 months. Superficial infections was seen in 8.6% while complaint of knee pain was given by 2.9% cases. Lachman test was positive in 2 (5.7%) cases. Conclusion: Five-strand graft offers very high strength and more length than the 4ST. It is useful in patients with ligamentous laxity, small tendons, or other stability risk factors.