Introduction: Modern literature concerning reconstructions of Anterior Cruciate Ligament is mostly focused on the choice of graft (hamstring or bone-tendon-bone), its placing, tensioning and fixation. The bone-hamstring-bone graft consists of compressed cancellous bone on its ends and it has been developed to achieve a more rigid fixation of the graft. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative results in surgically treated patients two years after the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament.
Material and methods: The study included 55 patients divided into two groups according to the implanted graft: bone-tendon-bone and bone-hamstring-bone graft. The results were assessed by Tegner and Lysholm scoring systems, arthrometric measurements, functional tests and International Knee Documentation Committee standard.
Results: The average postoperative results did not show a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the two groups (94 in the bone-tendon-bone group versus 93 in the bone-hamstring-bone group) according to Lysholm scoring system, nor in the arthrometric measurements obtained by Lachman test (2.0:2.1). According to the International Knee Documentation Committee standard, the bone-hamstring-bone group had more excellent results, but also three unsatisfactory ones; so, the bone-tendon-bone group was found to have uniform and better results (100% of excellent and good results vs. 91% in the bone-hamstring-bone group). Better results were also recorded by Tegner scoring system in the bone-tendon-bone group (8.6 vs. 7.1) due to the fact that there were more active athletes and greater preoperative level of activities in this group (3.1 vs. 7.1 in the bone-hamstring group).
Conclusions: The choice of graft is a less important factor in the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament than its placing, tensioning and fixation, because a significant difference between groups was recorded only by the International Knee Documentation Committee standard.