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Journals / Sakarya Tıp Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 16 Issue: 1

Combined ACL and Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction: A Retrospective Comparative Study of Clinical Outcomes

Yunus Emre Bulum(İSTANBUL MEDENİYET ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-5568-8170
Zekeriya Okan Karaduman(DUZCE UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6719-3666
Mehmet Arıcan(DUZCE UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-0649-2339
Mücahid Osman Yücel(DUZCE UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-9405-2367
Raşit Emin Dalaslan(DUZCE UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-5068-8024
Sönmez Sağlam(DUZCE UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-2651-8003
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Patient satisfaction was higher (p=0.02), and the overall complication rate was significantly lower in the ACL+ALL group (10% vs. 33%, p=0.04).

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: Residual instability may persist after isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 60 patients: 30 underwent isolated ACL reconstruction and 30 underwent combined ACL+ALL reconstruction.
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Conclusion & Impact:Patient satisfaction was higher (p=0.02), and the overall complication rate was significantly lower in the ACL+ALL group (10% vs. 33%, p=0.04).
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction · Anterolateral ligament · Knee joint

Abstract

Objective: Residual instability may persist after isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Anterolateral ligament (ALL) augmentation has been suggested to enhance stability, though its clinical utility remains uncertain. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 60 patients: 30 underwent isolated ACL reconstruction and 30 underwent combined ACL+ALL reconstruction. Outcomes included clinical stability, functional scores (IKDC, Lysholm), return-to-sport parameters, satisfaction, and complications with a mid-term follow-up of ≥12 months. The study was approved by the institutional non-interventional ethics committee. Results: Baseline demographic and perioperative characteristics were comparable between groups. Postoperatively, the ACL+ALL group showed lower pivot-shift positivity (7% vs. 27%, p=0.04), higher IKDC and Lysholm scores at 12 months (p<0.05), and shorter return-to-sport time (7.2 vs. 8.1 months, p=0.04). Patient satisfaction was higher (p=0.02), and the overall complication rate was significantly lower in the ACL+ALL group (10% vs. 33%, p=0.04). Conclusions: Combined ACL+ALL reconstruction yielded superior stability, functional recovery, and a more favorable complication profile compared with isolated ACL reconstruction. Given the retrospective design and limited sample size, results should be interpreted cautiously. Larger prospective trials are needed.

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Cite This Article

Bulum, Y. E., Karaduman, Z. O., Arıcan, M., Yücel, M. O., Dalaslan, R. E., Sağlam, S. (2026). Combined ACL and Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction: A Retrospective Comparative Study of Clinical Outcomes. Sakarya Tıp Dergisi, Volume: 16 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.31832/smj.1799661

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