Anterior Cruciate Ligament Radiofrequency Thermal Shrinkage: A Short-term Follow-up

• Published in: Arthroscopy Vol. 21; no. 9; pp. 1027 - 1033
• Main Authors: Farng, Eugene, Hunt, Stephen A., Rose, Donald J., Sherman, Orrin H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 01-09-2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - surgery; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Arthroscopy; Biological and medical sciences; Braces; Collagen - radiation effects; Cross-Sectional Studies; Electrocoagulation - methods; Electrocoagulation - statistics & numerical data; Endoscopy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Joint Instability - surgery; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Orthopedic surgery; Postoperative Care; Radio Waves - therapeutic use; Radiofrequency; Recovery of Function; Retrospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Thermal shrinkage; Treatment Outcome; Radiofrequency; Anterior cruciate ligament; Thermal shrinkage; Short term; Knee; Human; Clinical test; Relapse; Questionnaire; Anterior cruciate ligament-Radiofrequency- Thermal shrinkage; Method; Leg; Autograft; Survey; Arthroscopy; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Cross sectional study; Graft; Complication; Endoscopy; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 0749-8063; 1526-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2005.05.015

Purpose: To review the results of 34 patients who underwent radiofrequency thermal shrinkage (RFTS) for treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) laxity in the attenuated and partially torn ACL.
Type of Study: Retrospective cross-sectional survey performed at least 6 months after treatment.
Methods: Patients with recurrent instability after attenuation of ACL autografts and partially torn ACLs were treated with RFTS. Follow-up included subjective questionnaires (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Tegner, and Lysholm) and objective clinical tests (IKDC, KT-1000, pivot-shift, Lachman, single-leg hop).
Results: Mean follow-up was 21.4 months. Based on IKDC and subjective evaluation, 18 of 20 (90%) partially torn ACLs and 10 of 14 reconstructed ACLs (71%) treated with RTFS were judged to have good or excellent knee function (overall 82%). ACL laxity based on KT-1000 was less successful, with 15 of 20 (75%) partially torn ACLs and 8 of 12 (66%) reconstructed ACLs considered successful.
Conclusions: With no major complications in this study, we conclude that RFTS for treatment of ACL laxity is a well-tolerated procedure with success rates around 71% to 90% in selected patients. RFTS may be offered as a less-extensive alternative to patients being considered for ACL reconstruction who have either attenuated or partially torn ligaments, especially in the athletically low-demand population.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.