Background All-inside anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a novel technique that has gained attention due to its minimally invasive and graft-saving properties. However, studies comparing MRI-based graft maturity between all-inside and standard ACLR are lacking. Purpose This study focused on the functional, knee laxity, and MRI-based graft maturity characteristics of all-inside and standard single-bundle ACLR. Study Design Randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods Fifty-four patients were randomly assigned to an all-inside reconstruction group (n = 27) or standard reconstruction group (n = 27). Using the same rehabilitation strategy. The Tegner, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Lysholm scores were recorded at postoperative months 3, 6, and 12 to assess functional recovery. MRI was conducted to measure the signal/noise quotient (SNQ) of the intra-articular graft to assess the maturity. A higher SNQ indicates lower graft maturity. Knee laxity was assessed using GNRB arthrometer at the postoperative month 12. Results The graft SNQ of the all-inside group was significantly higher than that of the standard group at postoperative month 6 (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in graft SNQ between the two groups at postoperative months 3 and 12 (p > 0.05). Both groups exhibited the highest SNQ in the middle region of the graft, followed by the proximal region, and the distal region. Functional scores improved significantly for both groups and had no statistical difference (p > 0.05). The knee laxity was higher in the all-inside group (p < 0.05) at postoperative month 12. There was no correlation between the functional scores and graft maturity in both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions All-inside and standard single-bundle ACLR show good functional outcomes; however, knee laxity was relatively higher in the all-inside ACLR group than in the standard ACLR group. Moreover, both techniques exhibited poor maturity in the middle graft region and the best in the distal region. Graft maturity with all-inside ACLR is inferior to that with standard ACLR in the early postoperative stages. There is no correlation between knee function and graft maturity. Trial registration Clinical trial registration numbers: ChiCTR1800018543. Date of registration: 09/23/2018.

Background: Individualized rehabilitation based on graft maturity is necessary to optimize patient function and prevent graft re-injury. But there is a lack of studies on graft maturity in the all-inside single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Hypothesis/Purpose: Compared to the difference in graft maturity, functional scores, and stability between all-inside and anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, it was assumed that the stability of all-inside reconstruction is relatively insufficient, and its graft maturity is worse than the anatomical reconstruction.Study Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial.Methods: Fifty-four patients were recruited in this study and randomly assigned to the all-inside reconstruction group (n = 27) and the anatomical reconstruction group (n = 27) using the same rehabilitation strategy. The Tegner, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Lysholm score were recorded at postoperative 3rd, 6th, and 12th month to assess functional recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted to measure the Signal/Noise quotient (SNQ) of the intra-articular graft to observe the maturity. Stability was assessed using GNRB relaxation measuring instrument at the postoperative 12th month.Results: The graft SNQ of the all-inside group was significantly higher than that in the anatomical group during the postoperative 6th month (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in graft SNQ between the two groups at postoperative 3rd and 12th month (p > 0.05). Both groups exhibited the graft’s highest SNQ in the middle region, followed by the proximal region, and the lowest was the distal region. Functional scores improved significantly in both groups and had no statistical difference (p > 0.05). The stability recovered well in both groups during the postoperative 12th month, but the GNRB relaxation was higher in the all-inside group (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between functional scores and graft maturity in the two groups (p > 0.05).Conclusions: All-inside reconstruction graft maturity is inferior to the anatomical reconstruction during postoperative 6th month, which may cause relatively insufficient stability of all-inside reconstruction compared with anatomical reconstruction under the same rehabilitation strategy. A more conservative rehabilitation strategy for all-inside reconstruction around the postoperative 6th month may achieve better stability.

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Purpose: This study focused on the characteristics of the functional, knee laxity, tunnel widening and tunnel fluid signal of all-inside and standard single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial. From September 2018 to July 2019, 54 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to all-inside group (n=27) and standard group (n=27). Followed up at postoperative 3rd, 6th, and 12th month, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Lysholm，and Tegner score were recorded. The tunnel widening and tunnel liquid signal were measured by CT and MRI. The knee laxity was assessed by GNRB arthrometer at postoperative 12th month. Results: The tibial tunnel widening at postoperative 3rd, 6th, and 12th month in all-inside group was significantly less than that in standard group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in femoral tunnel widening between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). At postoperative 3rd and 6th month the liquid signal in tibial tunnel between the 2 groups had no statistical difference. The VAS score in all-inside group was lower than the standard group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in Tegner, IKDC, and Lysholm score between the 2 groups. At postoperative 12th month the knee laxity in all-inside group was higher than the standard group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: All-inside single-bundle ACLR can slow down tunnel widening, relieve postoperative pain, and achieve same functional recovery compared with the standard single-bundle ACLR but the knee laxity was relatively higher. Both techniques have the same fluid signal in tibial tunnel in the early postoperative period.