A Clinical Outcome-based Prospective Study with Fixed Versus Adjustable Femoral Loop Suspension Device in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Introduction: Femoral suspension devices are widely used in arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. They can be fixed or adjustable-loop devices. Only a few bio-mechanical studies comparing the efficacy of these two devices are available in the literature. Our study aims to compare clinical outcomes between the fixed-loop device (Group I) and the adjustable-loop device (Group II). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective randomized study. Sixteen patients were included in each group. One patient in each group was lost to follow-up. Assessment of clinical outcome was done with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and knee instability tests. Patient evaluation was performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Results: The mean postoperative IKDC score for the fixed loop group at 6 months was 72.2% (standard deviation [SD] =4.8), and for the adjustable loop was 70.3% (SD = 5.2). The difference in the outcomes was statistically insignificant ( P > 0.05). Postoperatively, significant improvement was seen in all three instability tests. Anterior drawer and pivot shift tests were negative in all the patients in both groups. One patient in each group had Grade 1 positive Lachman test. Hence, no significant difference was found in terms of instability and clinical tests between patients in either group. Conclusion: ACL reconstruction with fixed- and adjustable-loop suspensory devices for graft fixation gives equivalent and satisfactory clinical results.