COMPARISON OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES BETWEEN ADJUSTABLE- AND FIXED-LOOP DEVICES FOR FEMORAL FIXATION IN ARTHROSCOPIC ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Objectives: To compare outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with adjustable- and fixed-loop devices. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on 92 patients who underwent ACLR with the fixation of a hamstring graft with the fixed- and adjustable-loop suspensory devices on the femoral side from December 2021 to December 2023. Knee function was evaluated using the Lysholm score, Lachman test, and Pivot-shift test, both preoperatively and at the one-year postoperative follow-up. Results: One year postoperatively, the Lysholm score averaged 90.62 ± 4.167 in the adjustable-loop group, with 83.1% of cases achieving good grades. In comparison, the fixed-loop group had a mean score of 90.15 ± 4.704, with 77.8% of cases obtaining good grades. However, no significant statistical difference was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). A negative pivot shift test was confirmed in 60 cases (92.3%) from the adjustable-loop group and 24 cases (88.9%) from the fixed-loop group (p = 0.5). No cases of infection, graft failure, or flexion limitation were recorded. Conclusion: There were no notable differences in graft laxity and functional outcomes between the fixed- and adjustable-loop devices for femoral fixation in arthroscopic ACLR.