Achilles Allograft With or Without InternalBrace for ACL Revision Surgery

Summary

This study evaluated outcomes after revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using Achilles tendon allografts with a calcaneal bone block, with or without additional InternalBrace augmentation. Revision ACL reconstruction is often more complex than primary ACL reconstruction because previous surgery may leave widened bone tunnels or bone defects. Achilles tendon allografts with attached bone blocks may help address these defects and allow reconstruction in a single surgical procedure.

Participants with MRI-confirmed ACL graft re-tear and clinical knee instability were randomized to undergo revision ACL reconstruction either with InternalBrace augmentation or without InternalBrace augmentation. Clinical outcomes, patient-reported knee function, health-related quality of life, and MRI findings were assessed during 13 months of follow-up. The study was designed as a prospective randomized controlled pilot trial to compare whether additional InternalBrace augmentation improved functional, radiographic, or quality-of-life outcomes after revision ACL surgery.

Conditions

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Failure
• Knee Instability

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Revision ACL Reconstruction With Achilles Tendon Allograft and InternalBrace Augmentation

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed using an Achilles tendon allograft with calcaneal bone block. In this group, a non-resorbable polyethylene FiberTape InternalBrace was additionally fixed separately and independently from the ACL allograft to support the graft during healing.

PROCEDURE

Revision ACL Reconstruction With Achilles Tendon Allograft Without InternalBrace Augmentation

Revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed using an Achilles tendon allograft with calcaneal bone block. No additional InternalBrace or suture tape augmentation was used. Apart from the absence of InternalBrace augmentation, the surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation protocol were the same as in the InternalBrace augmentation group.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Graz

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Paul Ruckenstuhl, MD · Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Medical University of Graz

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-02-01

Primary Completion

2021-09-30

Completion

2021-09-30

Countries

• Austria

Study Locations