OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effects for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)with hamstring tendon autografts and bioabsorbable interference screws fixation under arthroscopy.

METHODSThirty-one patients with ACL rupture were verified through arthroscopy. There were 27 patients were male and 4 patients were female, ranging in age from 17 to 40 years,with an average of 25 years. Among the patients, 26 patients combined with meniscus injuries, 3 patients with injuries of articular cartilage and 16 patients with I to II degree degeneration of articular cartilage. All the patients were performed ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts under arthroscopy and the reconstructed ligaments were fixed with bioabsorbable interference screws.

RESULTSNo severe complications occurred at early stage after operation. Thirty patients were followed up and ranged from 9 to 39 months,with an average of (19 +/- 9.0) months. Lysholm score significantly increased from average of 54.6 +/- 16.6 preoperatively to average of 92.5 +/- 5.7 at the end of follow-up period (t = 11.84, P < 0.01). Twenty-six patients restored to normal activity.

CONCLUSIONACL reconstructed with hamstring tendon autografts under arthroscopy has advantages of minimal trauma and satisfactory outcomes.