OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical results of arthroscopic single and double-bundle ACLs reconstructions.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to May 2010,45 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear were divided into two groups. In the first group,the anterior cruciate ligament were anatomical reconstructed with double-bundle semitendinous tendon, and in the second group the anterior cruciate ligaments were anatomical reconstrucated with single bundle semitendinous tendon. There were 22 patients (15 males and 7 females) in double-bundle group, with an average age of (27.04 +/- 3.68) years; 18 patients (13 males and 5 females) in single bundle group, with an average age of (28.16 +/- 4.76) years. Therapeutic effects between two groups were compared according to the IKDC, Lysholm scoring standards and Lachman test, knee pivot shift test, KT-1000.

RESULTSTwenty-two patients in double-bundle group and 18 patients in single-bundle group were followed-up, and the mean duration was 12 months. The IKDC score of patients in single-bundle group improved from preoperative 41.40 +/- 6.30 to postoperatively 95.70 +/- 3.10, Lysholm score increased from preoperative 47.20 +/- 6.30 to postoperative 94.20 +/- 2.40. And the IKDC score of patients in double-bundle group improved from preoperative 40.90 +/- 6.10 to postoperative 96.10 +/-3.40, Lysholm score increased from preoperative 48.10 +/- 6.50 to postoperative 95.10 +/- 2.49. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The Lachman test was positive in 2 patients (1 patient in double-bundle group and 1 patient in single-bundle group); and pivot shift test was positive in 2 patients (1 patient in double-bundle group and 1 patient in single-bundle group). KT-1000 of patients in double-bundle group was (1.5 +/- 1.2) mm, and (1.9 +/- 1.5) mm in single-bundle group, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic single-bundle reconstruction and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have no significant differences in clinical effects.