Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using the Double-bundle Technique – Evaluation in the Biomechanics Laboratory

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe the methodology of knee rotation analysis using biomechanics laboratory instruments and to present the preliminary results from a comparative study on patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the double-bundle technique. METHODS The protocol currently used in our laboratory was described. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis was performed and knee rotation amplitude was measured on eight normal patients (control group) and 12 patients who were operated using the double-bundle technique, by means of three tasks in the biomechanics laboratory. RESULTS No significant differences between operated and non-operated sides were shown in relation to the mean amplitudes of gait, gait with change in direction or gait with change in direction when going down stairs (p > 0.13). CONCLUSION The preliminary results did not show any difference in the double-bundle ACL reconstruction technique in relation to the contralateral side and the control group.