Lateral extra-articular tenodesis does not enhance ACL graft healing, however, does reduce graft tunnel widening

Purpose: The study hypothesized that the addition of lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LEAT) in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) had a significant effect on ACL graft healing. Methods: A total of 80 patients were divided into two cohorts matched for gender, age, body mass index, time from surgery to post-operative MRI and graft diameter. Forty patients underwent ACL reconstruction alone, while 40 underwent ACLR in addition to LEAT. Patients underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan at 12 months post-surgery; tunnel apertures were measured using multiplanar reformation, graft healing was assessed using signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) in three regions of interest and finally graft maturity and integration were classified using the Howell and Ge scale, respectively. In addition, clinical evaluation and patient-reported outcome measures were collected. Results: The mean femoral tunnel widening at 12 months post-surgery was 39.8 +/- 14.0% in the ACLR + LEAT group and 55.2 +/- 12.7% in the ACLR alone group (p < 0.05). The mean tibial tunnel widening was 29.3 +/- 12.7% in the ACLR + LEAT group and 44.4 +/- 12.1% in the ACLR group (p < 0.05). The mean adjusted graft SNQ was 9.0 +/- 14.9 in the ACLR + LEAT group and 9.5 +/- 11.4 in the ACLR group (n.s.). Conclusion: At 1 year post-operatively, we noted significantly less femoral and tibial tunnel widening in the ACLR + LEAT group. LEAT did not result in a statistically significant effect on graft healing. Level of Evidence: Level III.