Outcomes of Single Bundle Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in a Limited Resource Setting.
Abstract Purpose: Despite various challenges, orthopaedic sports surgeons are still providing the arthroscopic service in developing countries like Nepal; however, it is hardly being reported. The main purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and complications of patients undergoing arthroscopic ACLR in the Urban group and that of the Rural group. Methods: We evaluated a total of 194 patients, including 98 patients in the Urban group and 96 patients in the Rural group, undergoing arthroscopic ACLR between August 2015 and February 2018. The subjective evaluations were performed using the Tegner-Lysolm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form. The laxity assessments were performed using the Lachman test and the Pivot-shift test. The functional evaluation included the ROM, single-leg hop test, and overall IKDC score. Radiological assessment was performed according to the IKDC guidelines. SPSS was used for data analysis. Results: There was statistically significant differences in the subjective assessments between 2 groups. No statistically significant differences existed between 2 groups in terms of Laxity and Functional assessments. However, the proportion of laxity, in terms of Lachman test and Pivot-shift test, was higher in the young and active individuals and the proportion of abnormal and severely-abnormal in all parameters of functional outcomes was higher in the older female in the Rural group. Graft failure occurred in 19(17.6%) knees in the Urban group and 17(16.8%) knees in the Rural group. Graft failure in the urban group was higher in young and active male patients, whereas failure in the Rural group was more in female patients. Similarly, overall infection occurred in 13 (6.2%) knees, including 5 (2.3%) deep infections and 8 (3.8%) superficial infections. Conclusion: We advised the similar rehabilitation protocol for all the patients; however, the outcomes were significantly lower in patients living in rural areas as they are found to have poor compliance with the rehabilitation protocol. The overall graft failure rate was 17.2%; however, the reoperation rate was higher in the Urban group than the Rural group. The rate of deep infection was higher in the Rural group as compared to the Urban group.