Tibial slope correction combined with second revision ACL produces good knee stability and prevents graft rupture

Revision ACL reconstruction requires careful analysis of failure causes particularly in cases of two previous graft ruptures. Intrinsic factors as excessive tibial slope or narrow femoral notch increase failure risks but are rarely addressed in revision surgery. The authors report outcomes, at minimum follow-up of 2 years, for second revision ACL reconstructions combined with tibial deflexion osteotomy for correction of excessive slope (> 12A degrees). Nine patients that underwent second revision ACL reconstruction combined with tibial deflexion osteotomy were retrospectively studied. The mean age was 30.3 +/- A 4.4 years (median 28; range 26-37), and mean follow-up was 4.0 +/- A 2.0 years (median 3.6; range 2.0-7.6). Autografts were harvested from the quadriceps tendon (n = 8) or hamstrings (n = 1), and tibial osteotomy was done by anterior closing wedge, without detachment of the patellar tendon, to obtain a slope of 3A degrees to 5A degrees. All patients had fused osteotomies, stable knees, and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The mean posterior tibial slope decreased from 13.2A degrees A A +/- A 2.6A degrees (median 13A degrees; range 12A degrees-18A degrees) preoperatively to 4.4A degrees A A +/- A 2.3A degrees (median 4A degrees; range 2A degrees-8A degrees) postoperatively. The mean Lysholm score was 73.8 +/- A 5.8 (median 74; range 65-82), and the IKDC-SKF was 71.6 +/- A 6.1 (median 72.8; range 62.2-78.5). The satisfactory results of second revision ACL reconstruction combined with tibial deflexion osteotomy at minimum follow-up of 2 years suggest that tibia slope correction protects reconstructed ACL from fatigue failure in this study. The authors stress the importance of careful analysis failure causes prior to revision ACL reconstruction, and recommend correction of tibial slope if it exceeds 12A degrees, to reduce the risks of graft retear. III.