BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES OF MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR SURGERY OF THE KNEE REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY.

Abstract

Purpose: To quantify the amount of agreement among UK orthopaedic surgeons regarding the natural history and treatment including surgery and rehabilitation of the ACL deficient knee.

Methods: Following from Marx et al (Arthroscopy. 2003 Sep;19(7):762–70) a surgeon mail survey was performed to 360 members of the British Association for Surgery of the Knee. Surgeons who had treated ACL deficient patients in the last year were asked to complete the survey. Thirty questions were included to determine the surgeons’ opinions regarding the natural history of the ACL deficient knee, indications for surgery and patient selection, surgical treatment and rehabilitation. Clinical agreement was present when 80% or more agreed on the same response option.

Results: 150 surgeons in total responded to the survey; 121 had treated ACL deficient patients in the past year. The mean age was 48.9 years and 83% considered their practice to be a subspecialty in knee surgery. The mean number of ACL reconstructions performed in the past year was 41 (range 1–210). Clinical agreement was present for 12 (40%) of the 30 questions; surgeons disagreed on 18 (60%) of the questions.

Conclusions: Similar significant variation regarding the management of ACL injuries is seen among members of BASK as among members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Clinical disagreement included whether ACL deficient patients can participate in all recreational sporting activities, that ACL reconstruction reduces the rate of arthrosis in the ACL deficient knee, and the use of bracing in non-surgically treated ACL deficient knees. Surgeons also disagreed about age, open growth plates, radiographic evidence of osteoarthrosis, pain, and, repairable and unrepairable meniscal tears in ACL deficient patients.