| Abstract ID |
| 20260026 |
| Category |
| Knee: ACL |
| Preferable Presentation |
| Both |
| Title |
| COMPARATIVE OUTCOMES OF ALL-INSIDE AND CONVENTIONAL ACL RECONSTRUCTION WITH MINIMUM 4-YEAR FOLLOW-UP |
| Author |
|
| Presenter |
| Keith Hay-Man Wan |
| Abstract |
| Background: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a widely performed arthroscopic surgery to restore knee stability in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The conventional technique typically involves autograft harvest, preparation of a full-length tibial tunnel, and fixation with an interference screw on the tibial side and a suspensory button on the femoral side. Recently, the all-inside technique has gained popularity due to its minimally invasive approach, bone-preserving nature, and potential for reduced postoperative morbidity. Unlike the conventional method, the all-inside technique utilizes a tibial socket rather than a full tunnel, with suspensory fixation on both tibial and femoral sides. Objectives: This study aimed to compare mid- to long-term clinical outcomes of all-inside ACLR with the conventional full tibial tunnel technique, with a minimum follow-up of four years. Study Designs and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent ACLR between January 2019 and June 2021 at our institution, which is a district general hospital in Hong Kong. Patients were divided into two matched groups: all-inside ACLR (n=24) and conventional ACLR (n=24), matched for age, sex, and activity level. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Lysholm score. Complications, including graft failure and infection, were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-tests, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 48 patients were included. KOOS scores across all domains—symptoms, pain, activities of daily living, sports, and quality of life—were comparable between groups (p>0.05). The Lysholm score was significantly higher in the all-inside group (p<0.05). One graft failure occurred in each group, and no postoperative infections were reported. Conclusion: All-inside ACL reconstruction demonstrated comparable mid- to long-term outcomes to the conventional technique, with a statistically significant advantage in Lysholm scores. Complication rates were low and similar between groups. These findings support the all-inside technique as a safe and effective alternative to conventional ACLR, offering potential benefits in patient-reported functional outcomes. |