Arthroscopic Synthetic Augmentation in Acute Partial Injury of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Abstract

Acute partial injury of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a challenging condition without a standard treatment. Although ACL reconstruction provided a better outcome previously, recent studies have shown that preserving the ACL stump yields promising results in terms of better vascularization, proprioception, and ligamentization. ACL augmentation is becoming more popular. Therefore, we propose a technique to augment an acute partial ACL injury with synthetic suture material to stabilize the unstable cruciate ligament. The suture material acts as a structural tie for ACL healing without any need for external immobilization. This technique is beneficial in preserving the natural ACL stump and autograft, creating a narrow bone tunnel, and providing a good cosmetic outcome.