OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical results of double and single bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSFrom 2005 May to December the data of 33 patients (4 lost follow) with double-bundle and 41 patients (8 lost follow) with single-bundle reconstruction of ACL using auto-hamstring tendons was retrospectively investigated. The follow-up was 14-22 months (average 18 months) of double-bundle group and 14-21 months (average 18 months) of single-bundle group. The IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores, KT-2000 and Biodex were used to evaluate the clinical results.

RESULTSThe IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were increased significantly from 60, 66, 4 before the operation to 85, 94 and 6 respectively after the double-bundle reconstruction. The KT-2000 results showed that at 30 and 90 degree 134 N the anterior-posterior translations were significantly decreased from 5.8 and 2.4 mm to 1.2 and 1.1 mm respectively of the double-bundle group (P < 0.01). The peak torques of the extend and flex muscles of the involved knee at 60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s were only at 81%, 87%, 76% and 85% of the contralateral knee of the double-bundle group. And the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). There were no differences between the two groups of any index, but the KT value at 30 degree and the extensor peak torque of the double-bundle group manifested a better tendency.

CONCLUSIONSBoth double-bundle and single-bundle ACL reconstruction can restore the stability and improve the function of the knee, and the double-bundle group shows a better tendency at the 30 degree stability and the extensor strength.