POSTER ABSTRACTS - ISAKOS

tension reconstructions,while at 3 and 6 months
follow up a better strenght and a more mature
istological picture was seen in the low tensioned
acl.
Conclusions:results show how important is
tensioning in acl surgery.Probably lower tension
guarantee a better maturation of the new acl in
sheep
E-poster #368
Difference in Deep Knee Flexion After ACL
Reconstruction Using ST and STG Autografts
Ramces A. Francisco, Milan, ITALY
Alberto W. Gobbi, Milan, ITALY, Presenter
OASI, Milan, ITALY
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this prospective investigation was
to document at designated intervals the changes
in hamstring muscle strength in patients who
have undergone ACL reconstruction using
hamstring autografts. The hypothesis was that
knee flexor weakness at deeper flexion angles
could reveal differences in patients operated
utilizing semitendinosus and gracilis compared to
semitendinosus tendon only .
Materials and Methods
From October 2000 to November 2002 , 51
consecutive patients diagnosed to have ACL
deficient knees underwent knee reconstruction
using either only the semitendinosus (ST) tendon
or the semitendinosus in combination with the
gracilis tendon (STG). Surgery was carried out by a
single surgeon on a mean of 5 months post injury.
All patients underwent a group specific
rehabilitation program following the surgery. Preoperative
and post-operative evaluation included
clinical and radiographic assessment. Standard
knee scores were determined and computed
analysis, isokinetic and functional strength tests
of quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength
were conducted. Statistical analysis of data was
achieved using parametric/non parametric tests.
Results
Clinical data obtained demonstrated no
significant difference between the two groups
(p 90m demonstrated
a significant decrease in hamstring muscle
strength in both groups. Moreover, STG group
demonstrated weaker hamstring strength when
compared to ST group at deeper flexion angles
(>90 m). STG group also displayed lesser range of
active movement.
Conclusions
This investigation suggests that hamstring muscle
strength and range of movement following harvest
of both semitendinosus and gracilis for ACL
reconstruction may have a more profound effect
than what has been previously reported. This
observation becomes more apparent at deeper
flexion angles and therefore routine use of both
tendons for reconstruction is not recommended
especially in athletes engaged in activities
requiring deep knee bends and hamstring
strength.
E-poster #370
Septic Arthritis Following Arthroscopic Anterior
Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A
Retrospective Review and Evaluation of Longterm
Outcomes
Rajshri Maheshwari, Seattle, WA, USA, Presenter
Taylor Brown, MD, Houston, TX USA
Walter Lowe, Houston, TX USA
David M Lintner, Houston, TX USA
Baylor Sports Medicine Institute, Houston, TX,
USA
INTRODUCTION: Infections after ACL
reconstruction are rare, and there is little data
regarding long term outcome. The purpose of this
study was to evaluate the long term outcome of
post-operative infections after ACL
reconstruction.
METHODS: 1,803 consecutive ACLR from 1994 to
1999 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria was a
culture-positive intra-articular infection within 6
months of the arthroscopic ACLR. Presentation,
labs, and treatment were reviewed. Patients were
contacted at an average of 6.6 years (range 4.8-9.3
years) post-operatively to evaluate long-term
outcomes using the modified Lysholm knee
scoring scale, Acitivites of Daily Living
Questionnaire, and Subjective IKDC Assessment.
Objective testing was performed using KT-1000
arthrometry and knee radiographs.
RESULTS: There were 21 cases (1.16%) of septic
arthritis. The most common organisms were
coagulase negative Staphylococcus (N=12) and
Staphyloccocus aureus (N=5). The cases required
an average of 2.0 arthroscopic debridements along
with intravenous antibiotics for an average of 6.3
weeks. 8 grafts were removed and 4 underwent
hardware removal. For long-term assessment, 14
(67%) patients were successfully contacted and