Purpose: The aim of the present study is to present epidemiology and clinical outcome after revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with an intermediate follow-up time of up to 9 years.
Methods: A retrospective study of patients treated with ACL revision from 2001 to 2007 at a university referral clinic was conducted. Study follow-up was performed in 2010; this follow-up included objective IKDC scores, KOOS, Tegner and SANE subjective scores, KT-1000 knee laxity measurements and registration of reoperations and complications.
Results: One hundred and twenty-eight patients were available for follow-up. Median follow-up time was 6 (2-9) years. Mean age was 32 years, 50% were men. Eleven percent required staged procedures, 30% were reconstructed with allograft tendons and 23% had collateral ligament reconstruction in combination with the ACL revision. SANE knee global score (0-100) was 74 at follow-up, KOOS sub-scores were preoperatively 66, 69, 77, 42 and 39 for pain, symptoms, activity of daily living, sports and quality of life, respectively. At follow-up, scores were 70, 76, 81, 50 and 50, respectively. Sport and quality of life scores increased significantly. KT-1000 was 6.2 mm preoperatively and 2.5 at follow-up (P < 0.05). Six percent were re-revised and 2 patients had total knee replacements.
Conclusion: Despite objective findings of acceptable sagittal knee stability at follow-up, subjective outcome scores indicate significant knee impairment with low scores in sport and quality of life. A re-revision rate of 6% after 6 years is acceptable. It is imperative that patients eligible for ACL revision receive proper counseling in terms of outcome expectancies.
Level of evidence: Retrospective case series, Level IV.