The effect of remnant preservation on tibial tunnel enlargement in ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft: a prospective randomized controlled trial

62 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction were randomly allocated to a preserving- or removing-remnant group to investigate the effect of remnant preservation on tibial tunnel enlargement in single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a tendinous autograft. Follow-up and assessment was conducted over 24 months postoperatively. Results demonstrated that preservation of the ACL remnants was favoured over the removal of these parts with respect to tibial tunnel enlargement, yet short-term clinical outcomes (Lysholm rating scale and KT-1000) did not appear to be significantly different between groups.