Combined ACL and ALL Reconstruction Using Allografts as the ACL Graft Source Reduces Surgical Failure and Improves Graft Maturity Compared with Isolated ACL Reconstruction

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to perform matched comparisons of the surgical outcomes of combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction with those of isolated ACL reconstruction, in which allografts were used for the ACL. Methods: Patients who underwent anatomical ACL reconstruction with or without additional ALL reconstruction between 2017 and 2023 and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included and grouped according to whether an additional ALL reconstruction was performed. The cohorts were statistically adjusted using an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to control for potential confounders related to surgical indication, including age, activity level, sex, rotational knee laxity, and preoperative osteoarthritic grade. Between-group comparisons were conducted for baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, knee laxity, and radiologic parameters. Results: Fifty-nine patients were included (Group 1: 39 isolated ACL reconstructions; Group 2: 20 combined ACL and ALL reconstructions). Before IPTW adjustment, a significant difference was observed in the preoperative pivot-shift test (p = 0.008), which was no longer significant after weighting. Postoperative functional outcomes and knee stability were comparable between groups; however, the incidence of surgical failure was significantly lower in Group 2 both before and after IPTW adjustment (p = 0.044 and p = 0.049, respectively). Regarding radiologic parameters, the signal-to-noise quotient of the ACL graft was also significantly lower in Group 2, both before and after IPTW adjustment (p = 0.046 and p = 0.038, respectively). Conclusions: In ACL reconstruction using allografts, the addition of ALL reconstruction resulted in more favorable clinical and radiologic outcomes-particularly a lower incidence of surgical failure and greater postoperative graft maturity-compared with isolated ACL reconstruction.