Reconstruction of partial anterior cruciate ligament tears: systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/wmgv4g38Keywords:
Partial ACL tear, selective bundle reconstruction, augmentation, ACL repair, anterior cruciate ligament, clinical outcomes, systematic reviewAbstract
Background: Partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears represent a unique subset of ACL injuries, with increasing attention toward tissue-preserving surgical techniques. Traditional management through complete ACL reconstruction may overlook the potential benefits of maintaining native fiber integrity.
Aim: This study aimed to systematically review the literature on clinical outcomes of partial ACL reconstruction and compare them with outcomes of complete reconstruction and other surgical alternatives.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Multiple databases were searched for studies involving surgical treatment of arthroscopically confirmed partial ACL tears. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies reporting surgical interventions (e.g., selective bundle reconstruction, augmentation, or primary repair), with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Data on study characteristics, diagnostic methods, interventions, outcome measures, and results were extracted and synthesized descriptively.
Results: Five studies (n = 240 patients) were included, with follow-up durations ranging from 12 months to over 10 years. Subjective and objective outcomes of partial ACL reconstruction were generally comparable to those of complete reconstruction. Tools such as IKDC, Lysholm, KOOS, KT-1000 arthrometer, and KiRA accelerometer were commonly used. Some studies reported reduced tunnel widening and better anterior laxity control with augmentation techniques. Primary repair showed promising results but had a relatively higher rate of secondary ACL insufficiency.
Conclusion: Partial ACL reconstruction offers similar functional outcomes to complete reconstruction, with potential advantages in preserving native anatomy and knee stability. Further multicenter randomized studies are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and define optimal surgical indications.
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