Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Results of a Single-stage Approach Using Allograft Dowel Bone Grafting for Femoral Defects

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to present results of single-stage revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an allograft bone dowel for isolated femoral bony deficiency. Methods: Sixteen patients underwent single-stage revision ACL reconstruction using an allograft bone dowel for isolated femoral bony deficiency between 2007 and 2012. Twelve patients (75%) completed study visits, which included CT scans as well as completion of validated outcomes measures. Results: The average KT-1000 side-to-side difference was 1.0 mm +/- 2.9 mm. The average International Knee Documentation Committee score was 70.2 +/- 17.8, the Tegner score was 4.8 +/- 2.8, and the visual analog scale pain score was 2.8 +/- 2.4. An analysis of CT scans showed that all 12 dowels had excellent (>75%) incorporation. Conclusions: A single-stage approach for revision ACL reconstruction using allograft dowels for isolated femoral bony deficiency yields objective and subjective outcomes comparable to those reported in the literature for two-stage and other single-stage techniques, with good incorporation of the dowels.