Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

July 25, 2023 updated by: Lars Engebretsen, Oslo University Hospital

Single Bundle or Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

There has been an increased awareness towards ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries for Norwegian teams, particularly in handball and soccer. The reported number of reconstructions in Norway ranges from 1500 to 2000 per year, and in the United States from 50,000 to 100,000 per year, making ACL reconstruction one of the most common orthopaedic procedures performed, especially among young, active and healthy individuals. However, reports state that there is a subset of patients (10-40%) who remain subjectively and objectively unstable and/or are unable to regain prior function. Additionally, it has been reported that degenerative joint disease is associated with traditional single-bundle ACL reconstructions in up to 50% of the patients in long term follow up studies.

It is well known that the ACL is composed of 2 functional bundles named after their tibial attachments, the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles.

It is believed that the current single-graft, single-bundle technique for reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament does not anatomically reconstruct either one of these bundles.

In the last two years, the double bundle technique has been introduced and a few clinical studies are available, however only a few RCTs.

Further study is very important to determine if double-bundle ACL reconstructions should be performed, if single-bundle reconstructions can be adjusted to better adapt to their biomechanical insufficiency in restoring internal rotation torques and valgus moments, and also in trying to identify which patients might better benefit from single-bundle versus double-bundle ACL reconstructions.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Detailed Description

The aim of this study:

The primary aim is to compare the two operational techniques: single bundle hamstrings versus double bundle hamstrings ACL reconstruction, using the KOOS (Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) Quality of Life(QoL) subscore as the primary outcome and clinical examinations, functional tests and standing radiographs (Kellgren Lawrence method) as secondary outcome measurements. Those assesments will be measured after 1,2 and 5 years after the operation.

Hypothesis:

There are no difference between the two methods as judged by the KOOS QoL subscore.

Questions to be answered:

Is there a difference between double-bundle and single-bundle technique in the subjective outcome scores as measured by the KOOS score? Are there differences between hamstrings single bundle and double bundle technique when the Lachman test and the pivot shift test are being used? Is there a difference between hamstrings double-bundle technique and single-bundle technique in return to sports and activity level? Are there differences between double-bundle technique and single -bundle technique in functional tests (one-leg hop test)? Is there a difference in the development of osteoarthritis between the two techniques?

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

120

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Oslo, Norway
        • Ullevaal University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 40 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Clinically verified ACL rupture (history, Lachman test 2+ or more with no endpoint; pos pivot shift and arthroscopically verified) The graft used for AM bundle has a minimum size of 6.0 mm and 5.0 mm for t he PL bundle.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • PCL injury,
  • ACL injury to the contra lateral knee
  • > 1+ medial or lateral-posterolateral ligament instability at operation date
  • Previous ACL reconstruction
  • Meniscal injury leaving < 50% of the meniscus intact
  • Established OA as judged by Kellgren 3-4.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Single-bundle technique
Anatomic single-bundle technique

Procedure:

Transarthroscopic technique with medial portal placement of the femoral tunnel. Harvest of the semitendinosus/gracilis (ST/G) tendons through a 3-5 cm incision at the pes anserinus. The femoral tunnel is positioned at the anatomic foot print determined by the anatomic landmarks. The graft will be fixed with an Endobutton CL on the femur and with an Biosure PK screw in the tibia with the knee close to extension. Prior to the final fixation, the knee will be taken through flexion and extension movements.The surgery will be carried out by an experienced knee surgeon.

Other Names:
  • Endobutton
Active Comparator: Double-bundle technique
Anatomic double bundle technique

Procedure:

Transarthroscopic technique. Harvest of the semitendinosus/gracilis (ST/G) tendons through a 3-5 cm incision at the pes anserinus.Through a medial portal 2 tunnels will be anatomically placed in the foot print on the femur and the two tibial tunnels will be placed using the Smith & Nephew drill guide. The graft will be fixed with 2 Endobuttons on the femur and with 2 Biosure PK screws in the tibia. Prior to the final fixation, the knee will be taken through 20 flexion and extension movements. The PL bundle will be fixed with the knee close to ful extension. The surgery will be carried out by an experienced knee surgeon.

Other Names:
  • Endobutton

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
KOOS score(QOL)
Time Frame: 1-5 years
1-5 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Standing radiographs (Kellgren Lawrence methode)
Time Frame: 3-5 years
3-5 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Lars Engebretsen, Phd, MD, supervisor

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

January 1, 2010

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 20, 2017

Study Completion (Actual)

June 20, 2017

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 15, 2009

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 15, 2009

First Posted (Estimated)

December 16, 2009

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 27, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 25, 2023

Last Verified

July 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 6.2009.234

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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