Self-reported patient outcomes after ACL reconstruction with allograft tissue.

Purpose: Self-reported outcomes after primary ACL reconstruction using allograft tissues were compared at > or = 5 yr (group 1) and at 2-4 yr (group 2) after surgery.

Methods: The IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation and Current Health Assessment and the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) and the Sports Activity Scale (KOS-SAS) were mailed to 335 consecutive former patients at > or = 2 yr after surgery.

Results: Surveys were completed and returned by 64.6% of former patients. Time after surgery for group 1 (N = 90) and group 2 (N = 116) was 7.8 +/- 2.7 and 2.8 +/- 0.8 yr, respectively. Groups did not differ for IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation or KOS-ADLS scores, although group 1 displayed a lower mean KOS-SAS score. Pooled IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation scores were 42.7% normal (A), 22.8% nearly normal (B), 24.8% abnormal (C), or 9.7% severely abnormal (D). Pooled standardized IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation z scores were -0.80 +/- 1.4 standard deviations below the reported population mean for unimpaired individuals with 33.5% scoring at or above the normative population mean, 28.2% scoring < 1 standard deviation below the normative population mean, 18.8% scoring between 1 and 2 standard deviations below the normative population mean, and 19% scoring > or = 2 standard deviations below the normative population mean. Pooled KOS-ADLS scores were 62.1% (> or = 90%), 18% (89-80%), 10.2% (79-70%), and 9.7% (< 70%). Pooled KOS-SAS scores were 49.5% (102/206, > or = 90%), 25.7% (53/206, 89-80%), 9.7% (20/206, 79-70%), and 15.1% (31/206, < 70%). Groups displayed comparable knee function before injury and at the time of the survey. Pooled knee-function scores decreased from 9.5 +/- 1.6 before injury to 8 +/- 2.5 current function (84% return). Both groups displayed decreases in current sports activity level from strenuous to moderate and frequency from 4-7 to 1-3 times per week.

Conclusions: Self-reported outcomes did not differ between groups for the IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation or for the KOS-ADLS score, although group 1 displayed decreased mean KOS-SAS scores, suggesting decreased perceived sporting activity knee function at > or = 5 yr after surgery. Decreased sports activity level and frequency are comparable with self-reported outcome studies after primary ACL reconstruction using autograft tissues.