Abstract
Purpose To compare the patient’s experience of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with previously validated outcome measures.
Methods Forty-five patients who had previously undergone ACL reconstruction performed by a single surgeon at least one year previously were assessed. A mean time of 33 months had elapsed between surgery and assessment. Each assessment included the Modified Lysholm Score, the Tegner Activity Score and the one-legged hop test (OHT). Patient’s subjective assessment included visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain, knee function, achievement of expectations and satisfaction. Correlation of all these items was performed using SPSS.
Results The mean Lysholm score was 90.3, with mean Tegner scores of 6.9 pre-injury, 5.2 currently and 6.3 desired. The mean OHT index was 0.92. The VAS scores (range 0 to 100) were 25 mm for pain, 79 mm for knee function and 77 mm for satisfaction. The VAS score (range −50 to 50) for expectations was 16 mm. Highly significant correlations were found between the Lysholm scores and all VAS scores; all VAS scores with each other; and the discrepancy between the current/desired Tegner scores and satisfaction. Significant correlations were found between age and achievement of expectations; the current Tegner score and achievement of expectations/satisfaction; and the discrepancy between the current/desired Tegner scores and achievement of expectations/time following surgery. There was a poor correlation between the OHT and the other variables in this post-operative population.
Conclusions Patient assessed measures of symptoms and satisfaction following ACL reconstruction correlate well with accepted outcome measures. A discrepancy between current and desired activity levels influence satisfaction following ACL reconstruction to a greater degree than actual activity levels. Patients should therefore be warned pre-operatively of a potential reduction in activity level post-operatively.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Roger Smith. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the British Association for Surgery of the Knee, c/o BOA, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN.
