Anterior Cruciate Reconstruction Using Bone-patellar

Background: Injuries to ligaments of knee are common in our society especially in the young athletes and sports men participating in football, volleyball, rugby etc. Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) leads to knee instability which leads to inability to participate in sports. In the none athletes ACL injury tends to decline in their level of daily activity. This is a study of ACL tears seen and managed by the author over a long period along with scientific data of clinical presentations, diagnosis, associated injuries, the ACL repair, rehabilitation protocol and the overall outcome. Objective: To review the authors experience of patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears who have been treated by bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts. That was to be achieved through clinical, radiological, athroscopy and extensive rehabilitation programme and arthroscopic review after one year follow-up. Setting: Menelik Hospital and the Nairobi Hospital. Methods: Thirty five patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear in one knee and a normal contralateral knee were evaluated and followed up for six years. Clinical history, physical evaluation, X-ray and athroscopies were done to rule out concomitant meniscal lesions and facilitate their treatment accurately. Follow up arthroscopy; physical examinations by Lachman test, pivot test and anterior drawer test were done