Modified Iliotibial Band Tenodesis Is Indicated to Correct Intraoperative Residual Pivot Shift After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using an Autologous Hamstring Tendon Graft: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The indications for the addition of anterolateral soft tissue augmentation to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and its effectiveness remain uncertain. Purpose: To determine if modified iliotibial band tenodesis (MITBT) can improve clinical outcomes and reduce the recurrence of ACL ruptures when added to ACL reconstruction in patients with a residual pivot shift. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients with a primary ACL rupture satisfying the following inclusion criteria were enrolled: first ACL rupture, involved in pivoting sports, skeletally mature, no meniscal repair performed, and residual pivot shift relative to the contralateral uninjured knee immediately after ACL reconstruction. Patients were randomized to group A (no further surgery) or group B (MITBT added) and were followed up for 2 years. The patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures used were the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscale of sport/recreation (Sport/Rec), KOOS subscale of quality of life (QoL), Lysholm knee score (LKS), Tegner activity scale (TAS), recurrent ACL ruptures, or need for further surgery in either knee. Analysis of variance was used to compare PROs; the Wilcoxon test was used for the TAS; and the chi-square test was used for recurrence of ACL ruptures, meniscal injuries, and contralateral ACL ruptures (P <.05). Results: A total of 55 patients were randomized: 27 to group A (female:male ratio = 15:12; mean age, 22.3 ± 3.7 years) and 28 to group B (female:male ratio = 17:11; mean age, 21.8 ± 4.1 years). At 2-year follow-up, group A had a similar IKDC score (90.9 ± 10.7 vs 94.2 ± 11.2; respectively; P =.21), lower KOOS Sport/Rec score (91.5 ± 6.4 vs 95.3 ± 4.4, respectively; P =.02), similar KOOS QoL score (92.0 ± 4.8 vs 95.1 ± 4.3, respectively; P =.14), lower LKS score (92.5 ± 4.8 vs 96.8 ± 8.0, respectively; P =.004), lower TAS score (median, 7 [range, 7-9] vs 8 [range, 8-10], respectively; P =.03), higher rate of recurrence (14.8% vs 0.0%, respectively; P <.001), similar rate of meniscal tears (14.8% vs 3.6%, respectively; P =.14), and similar rate of contralateral ACL ruptures (3.7% vs 3.6%, respectively; P =.99) relative to group B. Conclusion: The augmentation of ACL reconstruction with MITBT reduced the risk of recurrent ACL ruptures in knees with a residual pivot shift after ACL reconstruction and improved KOOS Sport/Rec, LKS, and TAS scores. Registration: ACTRN12618001043224 (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry).