Introduction

The outcome of revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) is guarded, particularly their return to sports activities. It is important to know the factors affecting the functional outcomes following a revision ACL-R.

Methods

We analysed results from 39 patients, who underwent a revision ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon and was followed up over a year. Some of them were treated in 2-stage revision while the rest were single-stage revision, depending upon their size of bone tunnel or osteolysis as assessed by pre-operative CT scan.

Result

We analysed data from 39 patients with a mean age of 31 (17–52) and an average follow-up of 3.6 years (2–5 years). The average KOOS quality of life score was 58.94 (±23.02) and the mean Lysholm score was 89.48 (±10.1). Medial meniscal tear was significantly correlated with Lysholm score (p<0.005), but not with KOOS-QOL. Tear in lateral meniscus was not related significantly. Patients having Grade II or above cartilage damage showed inferior outcomes in terms of Lysholm score and poor return to sports, and it was statistically significant (p<0.02). There was no significant differences in outcomes between single stage revision and 2-stage revision (p=0.336).

15 patients (42.5%) returned to their pre-injury sports activities after revision surgery with the mean return to sports score of 58.65 (±16.1).

Conclusions

The long-term functional outcome after revision ACL reconstruction is satisfactory, but not the return to sports. Expectations on outcome should be carefully managed particularly those having concomitant medial meniscal injury or cartilage damage.