Purpose: To describe the concept of individualized anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Methods: The PubMed/Medline database was searched using keywords pertaining to ACL reconstruction. Relevant articles were reviewed in order to summarize important concepts of individualized surgery in ACL reconstruction. Surgical experiences with case examples are also highlighted.
Results: Individualized ACL surgery allows for the customization of surgery to each individual patient. Accounting for graft selection and other characteristics such as anatomy, lifestyle and activity preferences may provide the patient with the best potential for a successful outcome. The surgeon should be comfortable with a variety of graft harvests and surgical techniques when practicing individualized surgery.
Conclusion: Individualized anatomic ACL reconstruction is founded on the objective evaluation of functional anatomy and individual characteristics, thereby restoring the ACL as closely as possible to the native anatomy and function. The adoption and subsequent use of individualized surgery may facilitate improved clinical as well as objective outcomes, particularly in the long term.
Level of evidence: V.