The first results from the Danish ACL reconstruction registry: epidemiologic and 2 year follow-up results from 5,818 knee ligament reconstructions

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is presently evolving rapidly. In order to monitor the developments in surgical methods and clinical outcome, a national clinical database for knee ligament reconstructions was established in 2005 in Denmark. This study presents the first data with 2 year follow-up from the Danish ACL registry. All orthopaedic departments performing ACL reconstructions in Denmark, including private clinics, report to the registry. The database includes both surgery- and patient-related data. The surgeon reports anamnestic, objective knee laxity and operative data including graft and implant choices. At 1 year control, complications, reoperations, and objective knee laxity are recorded. The patient registers the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Tegner function score preoperatively and at 1, 5 and 10 years follow-up. During the first 30 months, 5,872 knee-ligament reconstructions were registered. A total of 4,972 were primary ACL reconstructions, 443 were ACL revisions and 457 multiligament reconstructions. A total of 85% of all knee ligament reconstruction were reported to the database. A total of 71% of primary ACL reconstruction used hamstring tendon grafts and 21% used patella tendon graft. Meniscus injuries were treated in 35% of all patients. A total of 17% had significant cartilage lesions. At 2 years follow-up 3% of primary reconstructions were revised. Follow-up KOOS demonstrated specific differences between primary ACL, revision ACL, and multiligament reconstructions. Sports/recreation score were 40, 32, 28 and quality of life score were 40, 32, 33 for the respective groups. This study presents the first follow-up data from a national ACL registry. These data will become new international reference materials for outcome measures before and after ACL surgery. The database will enable future monitoring of ACL reconstruction techniques and outcome.

Complications following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the English NHS

“…Interestingly the use of thromboprophylaxis ranged from 17% in Denmark to 78% in Norway but no information on type, duration, or dosage was available [30]. Results from the first two years from the Danish registry looked at 4972 primary ACL reconstructions and quoted a perioperative complication rate of 4.3% [31]. Despite commenting on the use of thromboprophylaxis, there are no published VTE rates in any of the registries, nor was there data available on readmission rates or return to theatre for reoperation.…”

Results From the Swedish National Anterior Cruciate Ligament Register

“…Some results based on data from the register have previously been published. 1,2 Similar registers exist in other countries, such as the Danish 3 and Norwegian registers, 4 as well as the Multicenter Orthopedic Outcomes Network study (MOON study). 5 In addition, databases like the Kaiser Permanente Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Registry (KPACLRR) 6 and the New York database 7 exist but without patient-reported outcomes.…”

Epidemiology of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Brazil's Public Health System

“…We expected the true incidence of ACLR in Brazil to be higher than identified in this study, particularly as soccer, a major recreational sport in Brazil, is associated with a high risk for ACL injury 11,12 . However, the overall incidence of ACLR was low compared with reports from other countries.…”