THE SF-36-HEALTH SURVEY AS A MEASURE OF OUTCOME FOLLOWING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION WITH PATELLAR TENDON ALLOGRAFT

Abstract

A generic measure of health related quality of life was used to evaluate outcome following ACL reconstruction. This study quantifies the domains of poorer health-related quality of life and provides pre- and postoperative SF-36 scores for patients with ACL deficient knees. Pre-operative Sf-36 scores in ACL deficient knees were significantly lower than age matched normals in the physical domains of physical functioning, role-physical and bodily pain (p< 0.001). Post-operatively, SF-36 scores were significantly improved (p< 0.001) in all domains except general health and social functioning.

Evaluation of the ACL injured knee and the success of reconstructive surgery has traditionally focused on an assessment of knee function. These have proven to be poor indicators of general functional outcome and health related quality of life. The purpose of this study was to use the SF-36 survey to determine whether health related quality of life in patients with ACL deficient knees differed from that of healthy individuals and whether SF-36 scores improved after undergoing ACL reconstruction.

Sixty patients with ACL deficient knees underwent ACL reconstruction using arthroscopically assisted patellar tendon insertion. Prior to surgery and a minimum of two- years post-operatively, patients completed the SF-36 general Health Survey questionnaire. Pre- and post-operative SF-36 scores were compared to each other and to standard scores obtained from a healthy population of a similar age.

Pre-operative Sf-36 scores in ACL deficient knees were significantly lower than age matched normals in the physical domains of physical functioning, role-physical and bodily pain (p< 0.001). Post-operatively, SF-36 scores were significantly improved (p< 0.001) in all domains except general health and social functioning. Comparison between age matched normals were significantly higher in the domains of role-emotional, vitality, mental health and general health

A generic measure of health related quality of life was used to evaluate outcome following ACL reconstruction. This study quantifies the domains of poorer health-related quality of life and provides pre- and post-operative SF-36 scores for patients with ACL deficient knees.

Our finding indicates that ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft with arthroscopically assisted technique improved ling term health related quality of life.