Second-look arthroscopic evaluation of chondral lesions after isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: single- versus double-bundle reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has been reported to yield better joint stability than single-bundle (SB) reconstruction. Few studies have compared the 2 techniques with regard to postoperative articular cartilage changes.

HYPOTHESIS: Less cartilage damage should occur in the short term after DB ACLR than after SB ACLR.

STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

METHODS: The study included 52 patients (27 in the DB group and 25 in the SB group) with no chondral or meniscus injury at primary ACLR, as confirmed under arthroscopy. Four-strand and 6- to 8-strand hamstring autografts, respectively, were used for transtibial SB and 4-tunnel DB reconstruction. Each graft was fixed with an EndoButton bioabsorbable interference screw and a staple. Cartilage status at 6 identified regions was evaluated by second-look arthroscopy and the Outerbridge classification. Other assessments at final follow-up included International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner and Lysholm scores, side-to-side difference on KT-2000 arthrometer, and range of motion.

RESULTS: The mean time from reconstruction to second-look arthroscopy was 18.2 and 17.3 months for the DB and SB groups, respectively. Both groups had cartilage lesions at the patellofemoral joint (patella, 9 vs 13; trochlea, 5 vs 12) and the medial compartment (1 vs 2). Significantly less severe lesions were found in the DB group than in the SB group (mean grade, 0.33 vs 0.96; P < .05). No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of cartilage status at other regions, IKDC score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, KT-2000 arthrometer anterior laxity, or range of motion.

CONCLUSION: Chondral lesions were found postoperatively in both DB and SB ACLR groups with hamstring autograft. The DB ALCR led to less cartilage damage at the femoral trochlea at short-term follow-up.