AbstractBackground: Once upon a time, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) led a relatively safe existence. It was a time when only a fall from a chariot or a jostling horse might send a gladiator or a knight to retirement, because of an unstable knee. In today’s world of motorcycles, sports and increased fitness awareness, the ACL and the “weakened warrior” both amateur and professional are parting company more frequently. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted in JJM Medical college. A total of 107 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the timing of surgery into Early (Group I): patients who underwent surgery within 3 weeks and Delayed (Group II): the patients who underwent surgery 3 weeks later from the time of injury. Patient demographic characteristics including age, gender, weight were analysed as mean with standard deviation as appropriate. Results: Excellent results were obtained on subjective assessment by modified Cincinnati rating system in group I (66 patients) than group II (41 patients)which was statistically significant (p Value 0.00). Functional assessment by Lysholm’s modified knee scoring scale also shows excellent results in group I (66 patients) than in group II (41 patient). 62% of patients in group I returned to preinjury levels of activity when compared to 54% in group II at the end of 2 years follow-up but was not statistically significant. Objective clinical assessment shows
no difference in laxity in group I and II. Quadriceps wasting was more in group II than group I which was statistically significant. Conclusion: We conclude that early reconstruction of ACL has many advantages and should be offered to the patients even during their first visit after an acute ACL rupture. The risk of arthrofibrosis has been over emphasized in literature but our experience shows that it is not true. The advantages of early reconstructions grossly out weigh the disadvantages
Keywords: ACL; Arthrofibrosis; Knee Joint; Tibia; Femur; Patella.
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