Comparative study of the outcomes of one-stage versus two-stage reconstruction of chronic multiligament knee injury.

Background: Multi-ligament knee injury (MLKI) is a complex orthopaedic knee problem, usually following traumatic knee dislocation. Surgical management is preferred and has resulted in better clinical outcomes. However, the optimal surgical treatment protocol is continuously evolving. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of one-stage versus two-stage reconstruction of MLKI.

Materials and methods: This retrospective comparative study was conducted between July 2020 and December 2023 at a government orthopaedic hospital in Nigeria. The inclusion criteria include males and females between 18 and 45 years of age who had one- or two staged knee reconstructions for MLKI and were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. The exclusion criteria were patients below 18 and above 45 years of age, those with previous knee surgery, those associated with femoral or tibia fractures, those with radiological evidence of osteoarthritis, and those with follow-ups less than 12 months. Clinical outcomes using the Lysholm scoring system and complication rate were recorded. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.

Results: Fifty-one patients (26 in the OS group and 25 in the TS group) were studied. There was a significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative Lysholm scores in the two groups (p = 0.86 and 0.57 for OS and TS, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the postoperative Lysholm scores in the two groups (p = 0.918).

Conclusion: One-stage and two-stage reconstruction of chronic MLKI give similar excellent clinical outcomes.