Original study: early patient-reported functional outcome of all-inside ACL reconstruction as compared to anteromedial portal technique

BackgroundAnteromedial portal technique (AMP) using hamstring autograft is a popular technique of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction allowing anatomical placement of femoral. In this technique, a cortical suspensory fixation of graft is used on the femoral side and interference screw fixation on the tibial side using a complete bone tunnel. All-inside translateral technique is a recently introduced technique which uses a closed loop of quadrupled semitendinosus graft with an adjustable cortical suspensory fixation on both sides allowing optimum tensioning of graft and near-complete filling of retrosockets created by the flip cutter on both femoral and tibial sides. With its proposed but unproven benefits, our study was planned to compare the two techniques.MethodsA total of 80 young active males requiring ACL reconstruction surgery were equally randomized to AMP and All-inside technique. The primary objective of the study was to compare the ability to return to pre-injury level of activity using Tegner activity scale and patient-reported outcome using new Knee Society Score (KSS) at two years of follow-up.ResultsThe mean improvement in Tegner score was significantly better (p=0.0005) in all-inside group (2.340.97) as compared to AMP group (1.51.30). Among components of new KSS, patient satisfaction was better in all-inside group.Conclusion All-inside ACL reconstruction provides a better chance of return to pre-injury level of activity with accompanied patient satisfaction as compared to AMP technique at two years of follow-up.Level of evidence Level I, therapeutic study.