Description
Alexander Dodds presents an update on current evidence regarding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, focusing on significant findings from the past year. This session will review important studies that may influence the practice of knee surgeons, particularly concerning graft choices for primary ACL reconstruction and failure risks associated with various methods.
Dodds plans to examine registry publications, including results from the New Zealand ACL Registry and recent studies on graft comparisons, particularly patellar tendon versus hamstring tendon. He highlights that patellar tendon usage is linked with a higher risk of contralateral ACL reconstruction, which is crucial for athletes returning to sports. He also introduces quadriceps tendon usage in ACL reconstruction, mentioning its potential benefits over patellar and hamstring tendons.
An analysis of lateral extra-articular tenodesis procedures shows increased research focus in recent years, leading to a significant clinical trial demonstrating reduced failure rates when this technique is added for high-risk patients. Dodds discusses long-term outcomes of ACL surgeries using data from various registries, revealing that many patients do not return to pre-injury levels of athletic performance, often due to pain and instability.
The talk concludes with an overview of recent guidelines for managing ACL injuries, emphasizing the importance of understanding each patient's unique risks and anatomical concerns when discussing surgery options. This comprehensive update aims to equip surgeons with the latest knowledge to improve patient outcomes in ACL reconstruction.