Enhancing stability and outcomes in young Indian footballers: The synergistic effect of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with lateral extra-articular tenodesis – A prospective observational cohort study

Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequently seen injuries in young footballers that can contribute to chronic knee instability, meniscal injuries, and increased risk of early-onset osteoarthritis if not properly treated. Materials and Methods: This study evaluated the clinical findings of combined ACL reconstruction and lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) in 22 male footballers aged 20–30. ACL reconstruction was carried out using hamstring autografts and LET was done utilizing a modified Lemaire procedure with iliotibial band autograft. Clinical findings were studied preoperatively and at six months and one year postoperatively utilizing the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner–Lysholm scores. Results: Mean IKDC and Tegner-Lysholm scores were similar or slightly improved at six months compared to pre-operative baselines and further increased at one year follow-up, with the improvements being statistically significant. There are no cases of graft failure occurred. Conclusion: A combination of ACL reconstruction and LET is a safe and effective treatment for ACL tears in young footballers, which can restore knee stability and allow them to go back to sports. Adding LET to ACL reconstruction may help lower the likelihood of graft failure in this high-risk population.