Technical Note A New Arthroscopic Method for Reconstructing the Anterior and Posterior Cruciate Ligaments Using a Single-Incision Technique: Simultaneous Grafting of the Autogenous Semitendinosus and Patellar Tendons

Summary: We established a simultaneous reconstruction method for ruptured anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL, PCL) using a single-incision technique. Residual PCL was used to determine the position of bone tunnel for ACL reconstruction. The bone tunnel position on the tibia for PCL reconstruction was arthroscopically confirmed by conducting through debridement from the posteromedial portal. Reconstruction substitutes were patellar-tendon bone-tendon-bone for ACL, and semitendinosus tendon for PCL. In the fixation procedure, the PCL substitute was fixed using the Endobutton (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA) and a ceramic button, and the ACL substitute was fixed with an interference screw. During the surgery, radiographic monitoring and the PCL guide system were not required.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 15, No 8 (November), 1999: pp 871–876     

腘绳肌腱结嵌压固定法重建交叉韧带的临床应用与生物力学研究

目的探讨腘绳肌腱结嵌压固定法重建交叉韧带的可行性。方法对52例陈旧性前、后交叉韧带损伤患者在关节镜下行双股腘绳肌腱中间打结,嵌入瓶颈状股骨隧道内固定,胫骨端采用肌腱编织缝合在骨桥上打结固定,重建交叉韧带。其中前交叉韧带25例,前、后十字韧带同时重建15例,后交叉韧带12例。生物力学实验采用猪膝关节。股骨端固定分为肌腱结嵌入组(n=13)和骨髌腱骨(B PT B)介面螺钉固定组(B PT B介面钉组,n=11)。胫骨端固定分为肌腱编织缝合线在骨桥打结组(n=7)、肌腱编织缝合介面螺钉组(n=8)。进行最大拔出强度、最大位移和固定刚度等力学实验。结果术后随访49例,平均14 6个月,Lanchman试验阴性46例,阳性3例。术后Lysholm评分由术前56 7分提高到92 8分。按膝关节疗效评定标准,优46例,良3例。生物力学实验最大拔出强度肌腱结嵌入组高于B PT B介面钉组;固定刚度肌腱结嵌入组小于B PT B介面钉组;最大位移肌腱结嵌入组大于B PT B介面钉组。胫骨端固定抗拉强度和刚度骨桥打结组优于介面螺钉组。结论腘绳肌腱结嵌压固定重建交叉韧带生物力学抗拉强度能满足生理需求,方法可行;可克服位移因素,降低韧带松弛率,提高疗效。     

膝关节镜下微创重建前交叉韧带

为使膝关节前交叉韧带重建手术定位准确,固定更加牢固和早期功能康复,同时减少手术创伤。1997年10月至1999年4月应用膝关节镜下挤压螺钉固定骨-髌腱(中1/3)-骨自体移植重建前交叉韧带的新技术,重建前交叉韧带74例,并取得良好效果。结果 表明该方法手术创伤小,骨道定位准确,能做到等长重建。由于充分利用了髌腱这一较为理想的自体材料,两端带有骨块,重建的韧带最终可达到牢固的生物学固定。作根据临床实践,结合全部病例,重点总结介绍了关节镜下重建前交叉韧带的临床技术和经验。     

关节镜下应用异体跟腱股骨双束双隧道同时重建后交叉与前交叉韧带

目的 评价关节镜下应用异体跟腱股骨双束双隧道同时重建后交叉韧带与前交叉韧带的临床疗效.方法 14例前、后交叉韧带损伤患者在关节镜下应用异体跟腱同时重建前、后交叉韧带,且后交叉韧带股骨侧应用双束双隧道重建.受伤至手术时间平均19.5 d.术后平均随访34.5个月.采用Lysholm评分和Tegner评分对患膝功能进行评估,通过KT-1000检查膝关节的前后松弛度.术前患者屈膝活动度(123.6±2.5)°,Lysholm评分(52.8±2.2)分,伤前Tegner评分平均为(5.9±0.5)分,术前为(1.2±0.9)分.结果 术后患者屈膝活动度(117.9±2.8)°,与术前比较差异无统计学意义(t=1.54,P=0.14).术后Lachman试验阴性者13例(92.9%),后抽屉试验阴性者12例(85.7%).KT-1000屈膝25°双侧胫骨前后松弛度差值在2 mm以内9例,3～5 mm 4例,6 mm1例.屈膝70°差值2 mm以内10例,3～5 mm 3例,6 mm 1例.Lysholm评分术后提高至(92.9±3.3)分,差异具有统计学意义(t=17.009,P＜0.001).术后Tegner评分终末随访时平均为(5.4±0.8)分.手术前后的差异有统计学意义(F=4.2,P＜0.01).11例恢复到受伤前运动水平(78.6%),另外3例运动水平较受伤前有所降低.结论 关节镜下应用异体跟腱股骨双束双隧道同时重建后交叉韧带与前交叉韧带,后交叉韧带股骨侧应用双束双隧道重建,更接近后交叉韧带解剖重建,能够恢复膝关节的稳定性,较满意地恢复膝关节功能.     

Arthroscopic Reconstruction of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament Using Tibial-Inlay and Double-Bundle Technique

Biomechanical research has suggested that the double-bundle and tibial inlay technique is superior to the single-bundle and the transtibial tunnel method for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. A combination the posterior tibial inlay and femoral double-bundle technique is thought to be an ideal method for PCL reconstruction. Recently, we successfully performed arthroscopic PCL reconstruction using the tibial-inlay and double-bundle technique. Achilles tendon–bone allograft is used and the bone plug for the arthroscopic tibial inlay fixation is designed in a cylindrical shape and perpendicular to the fiber texture of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendon is manually split into deep and superficial layers to reconstruct anterolateral and posteromedial bundles as the natural insertion of PCL. The intra-articular lengths of each bundle between tibial tunnel and 2 femoral tunnels are measured to achieve fixation of the graft to the original PCL attachment. After tibial bone plug fixation with an absorbable interference screw and additional suture anchoring, the anterolateral bundle is fixed in a reduction position with the knee in 90° of flexion and the posteromedial bundle is fixed nearly in extension. This procedure makes it possible not only to reproduce the original concept of PCL tibial inlay graft arthroscopically without posterior arthrotomy, but also to achieve a more anatomic PCL reconstruction of the 2 bundles.     

前十字韧带重建中的移植物位置偏移

目的 计算可吸收界面螺钉导致的移植物偏离隧道位移,探讨其对前十字韧带重建产生的影响.方法 19个新鲜尸体膝关节标本,随机选取5个,采用7 mm、8 mm、9 mm界面螺钉固定自体肌腱,测定偏移距离.另外14个膝关节分为等长组和解剖组,等长组膝关节测量界面螺钉固定后及校正位置的移植物拉长距离;解剖组膝关节于膝关节生物力学测试仪上分别测定ACL完整组、ACL缺失组、偏移组和校正组在134 N前向负荷下膝关节屈曲0°、15°、30°、60°和90°位的胫骨前向位移.结果 (1)肌腱偏移:直径7mm、8 mm、9mm的界面螺钉分别使移植物偏移(2.36±0.11)mm、(2.72±0.06)mm、(3.00±0.06)mm.(2)等长性:初始拉长小于3 mm,偏移拉长大于3 mm,校正拉长小于3 mm.(3)生物力学:屈膝0°、15°位,ACL完整组与偏移组、校正组差异无统计学意义.屈膝30°、60°、90°位ACL完整组与其他各组比较差异均有统计学意义,屈膝30°、60°位偏移组与校正组比较差异有统计学意义.结论 无论等长重建还是解剖重建,界面螺钉均影响移植物的股骨隧道口位置.前十字韧带重建预先校正股骨隧道口位置,移植物基本会处于预先的理想位置.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the impact of graft position shift on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction induced by femoral fixation of interference screw. Methods Nineteen fresh cadaveric knees were used and assigned to three groups. 1) Study of graft position shift: 5 knees were randomly selected, interference screws of 7 mm, 8 mm and 9 mm were used in autologous tendon fixation, then the graft position shift were measured. 2) Study of isometry: 7 knees were randomly divided into the isometric reconstruction group (D group). In the D group, Retrobutton, interference screw and interference screw in location-corrected bone tunnel were used respectively as fixation. The isometry of grafts was evaluated. 3) Study of tibia anterior translation: 7 knees were randomly divided into the anatomic reconstruction group (J group). In the J group,the tibia anterior translation was measured in four different conditions in the same joint: intact knee joint,knee joint without ACL, ACL anatomic reconstruction by interference screw fixation, and ACL anatomic reconstruction by interference screw fixation with corrected bone tunnel location. Results 1) With 7 mm, 8mm and 9 mm interference screw fixation, graft position shift were (2.36±0.11) mm, (2.72±0.06) mm and (3.00±0.06) mm respectively. 2) Graft length change: graft length change in Retrobutton group and corrected bone tunnel group were less than 3 mm, while graft length change in those fixed with interference screw were stretched in more than 3 mm. 3) Study of tibia anterior translation: there was no difference among the intact group, the anatomic group and the corrected group at 0° and 15°. However, the difference was found between the intact group and other groups at 30°、60° and 90° of flexion, as well as between these two reconstructed methods at 20° joint flexion (P＜0.05). Conclusion In both isometric and anatomic ACL reconstruction with interference screw, the graft is pushed tightly toward the femoral tunnel wall, which shifts the graft away from the desired position. In our study we find out that the corrected location of the femoral bone tunnel significantly improves the isometry of ACL reconstruction and anatomic reconstruction.     

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with preservation of remnant bundle using hamstring autograft: technical note

During an arthroscopic examination for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, there is a relatively thick remnant ACL tibial stump attached to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) or rarely remained between the femur origin and the tibia insertion. We thought that preservation of the remnant ACL original bundle might promote graft healing or be helpful in preserving the proprioception and function to stabilize the knee. Therefore, we established a remnant preservation procedure without additional instruments during an ACL reconstruction using a bio-cross pin (RIGIDfix system: Mitek, Johnson & Johnson, USA) for the femoral tunnel fixation. The remnant ACL was sutured (usually three stitches) using a suture hook (Linvatec, Largo, FL), and both ends of the sutures were pulled to the far anteromedial (AM) portal. These sutures protected the remnant tissue during the ACL reconstruction because medial traction of these sutures can provide a wide view during the reconstruction. After the femoral and tibial tunnel formation, these sutures were pulled out to the inferior sleeve of the cross pin using a previously inserted wire loop via an inferior sleeve. After graft passage, a superior cross pin was first fixed and tibial fixation was then performed. Finally, inferior cross pin fixation was performed and ties were made at the entrance of the inferior cross pin.     

Fixierte hintere Schublade nach VKB-Ersatzplastik bei scheinbar „isolierter“ vorderer VKB-Ruptur

We present the case of a paraglider who suffered a valgus external rotation hyperextension injury of the right knee. The incomplete diagnosis of an isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) intrasubstance tear was made and a reconstruction of the ACL with semitendinosus autograft was performed. The associated lesion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was overlooked and thus the ACL was fixed in a posterior sag position. This led to activity-related pain without any instability. The patient underwent revision surgery with débridement of the ACL and reconstruction of the PCL with quadriceps tendon.     

Femoral tunnel placement in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: rationale of the two incision technique

Endoscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can be performed through one-incision or two-incision technique. The current one-incision endoscopic ACL single bundle reconstruction techniques attempt to perform an isometric repair placing the graft along the roof of the intercondylar notch, anterior and superior to the native ACL insertion. However the ACL isometry is a theoretical condition, and has not stood up to detailed testing and investigation. Moreover this type of reconstruction results in a vertically oriented non-anatomic graft, which is able to control anterior tibial translation but not the rotational component of the instability. Femoral tunnel obliquity has a great effect on rotational stability. To improve the obliquity of graft, an anatomical ACL reconstruction should be attempt. Anatomical insertion of ACL on the femur lies very low in the notch, spreading between 11 and 9–8 o'clock position and the center lies lower than at 11 o'clock position. Femoral aiming devices through the tibial tunnel aim at an isometric placement, and they do not aim at an anatomic position of the graft. Also, a placement of tunnel in a position of 11 o'clock is unable to restore rotational stability. The two-incision technique, with the possibility to position femoral tunnel independently by tibial tunnel, allows us to place femoral tunnel entrance in a position of 10 'clock that can most accurately reproduce the anatomic behaviour of the ACL and can potentially improve the response of the graft to rotatory loads. This positioning results in a more oblique graft placement, avoiding problem related to PCL impingement during knee flexion. Further studies are required to understand if this kind of reconstruction can ameliorate proprioception as well as clinical outcome at a long-term follow-up.     

Editorial Commentary: Tunnel Widening After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction May Increase Laxity and Complicate Revision

Tunnel widening (TW) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been a research area of interest in ACL reconstruction. It has been demonstrated that femoral tunnels enlarge anteriorly and distally (ie, the direction where the mechanical traction force of the graft works) rather than concentrically after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction using hamstring autografts. This finding suggests that the wall supporting the graft moves closer to the direction of the pull, leading to increased laxity of the knee joint due to TW. The causes of TW are presumed to be multifactorial, with both biological and mechanical features. Biological factors include osteolytic cytokines that enter the space between the graft and the bone through the synovial fluid. Mechanical factors include longitudinal graft motion by extracortical femoral fixation (known as the bungee effect), transverse graft motion (also called the windshield-wiper effect), improper graft placement, higher initial graft tension, accelerated rehabilitation, and so on. Although TW does not seem to affect short-term clinical outcomes from studies published to date, it is plausible to speculate that the expansion of the bone tunnel (ie, the edge where the graft tendon is fixed) would theoretically increase joint laxity to some extent, and it would be premature to conclude that TW has no effect on clinical outcomes relative to graft–tunnel micromotion. In addition, there is a general consensus that the presence of expanded tunnels often severely complicates revision ACL reconstruction. In ACL reconstruction using the hamstring tendon, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of a shift in the tunnel position when determining the location of the femoral tunnel.     

Quadriceps tendon-patellar bone autograft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a technical note

The quadriceps tendon autograft can be used for primary and revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Despite several successful clinical reports, graft fixation issues remain, and the ideal technique for fixation continues to be controversial. We present a technique of ACL reconstruction with quadriceps tendon autograft (QTA) using a patellar bone block. The tendon end is fixed in the femoral tunnel and the bone plug in the tibial tunnel using reabsorbable interference screws. The advantages of this technique are related to the increase in stiffness of the graft, the achievement of a more anatomic fixation, and a reduction in synovial fluid leakage.     

前交叉韧带重建术后骨道增宽的临床研究

目的分析前交叉韧带（ACL）重建术后骨道增宽的发生率、增宽程度、骨道形状、相关因素及其与临床效果的关系。方法回顾性研究应用胭绳肌腱重建ACL手术后骨道的变化,通过X线片测量ACL重建术后的骨道直径。对51例患者行ACL重建手术,其中男性30例,女性21例。所有患者均获随访,平均随访时间16个月。主要研究及观察指标：患者性别、年龄、身高等因素,移植物的固定方式,随访时的关节活动度、膝关节稳定性检查（KT2000）及肌力恢复情况,以及股骨和胫骨的骨道直径、骨道位置和角度等。数据分析采用统计学卡方检验及相关性分析。结果前交叉韧带重建术后的骨道增宽率股骨85％-94％,胫骨65％;增宽程度股骨51％-53％,胫骨40％～44％。胫骨骨道增宽的形态以O型（冠位片）及V型（矢位片）最常见。骨道增宽与年龄、身高及体重指数相关。股骨骨道位置偏前会引起股骨骨道的增宽,股骨骨道角或胫骨骨道角越小,则股骨骨道越容易增宽。结论以腘绳肌腱为移植物重建前交叉韧带手术,术后骨道增宽的发生率与程度,股骨骨道较胫骨骨道明显。骨道增宽与患者年龄、身高以及骨道定位相关,其中股骨和胫骨骨道的位置及角度是引起术后骨道增宽的主要因素之一。骨道增宽与KT2000结果和术后肌力恢复情况相关。     

膝关节前交叉韧带胫骨止点的软组织解剖标记

背景：膝关节前交叉韧带（ACL）重建时,胫骨骨道定位不准会产生重建韧带与髁间窝的撞击或起不到维持膝关节稳定性的作用。因此,确定ACL胫骨止点的位置非常重要。目的：研究膝关节ACL胫骨止点前内束（AMB）和后外束（PLB）与软组织标记后交叉韧带（PCL）和外侧半月板前角的距离,从而明确ACL胫骨止点在胫骨平台的位置,为ACL损伤双束重建提供理论支持。方法：解剖18个膝关节尸体标本（左膝10个,右膝8个）,测量ACL中点、AMB中点、PLB中点与PCL和外侧半月板前角的距离,并分析左、右膝关节是否存在差异。结果：AMB中点与PCL和外侧半月板前角的距离分别为（15.00±3.97）mm和（19.78±4.10）mm;PLB中点与两者的距离分别为（10.17±5.56）mm和（19.50±4.40）mm;ACL中点与两者的距离分别为（12.67±4.52）mm和（19.61±3.87）mm。左右膝关节ACL中点、AMB中点、PLB中点与软组织解剖标记的距离无明显统计学差异。结论：膝关节ACL损伤行手术重建时,可采用PCL和外侧半月板前角作为定位标记。     

前十字韧带重建术骨隧道区的骨密度测量

 目的 比较前十字韧带（anterior cruciate ligament,ACL）重建术股骨侧与胫骨侧骨隧道区域的骨密度,为选择界面螺钉大小提供参考。方 法 招募30名年龄18~35岁的健康志愿者,用双能X线吸收（Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry,DEXA）骨密度仪进行右下肢股骨侧与胫骨侧骨隧道区域骨密度 测量;以CT薄层扫描右侧膝关节,利用三维立体成像技术分别确定经过骨隧道中心轴的股骨与胫骨隧道截面并测量灰度值。2010年8至10月ACL撕裂确诊患者9例 ,在重建手术过程中完整取出股骨侧与胫骨侧骨隧道内松质骨柱,应用阿基米德原理测量体积骨密度。结果 DEXA测量股骨侧隧道区域骨密度为（1.162±0.034 ） g/cm2,胫骨侧为（0.814±0.038） g/cm2,两者差异有统计学意义（t=9.11,P=0.000）;骨隧道区域CT股骨侧灰度值为（211.7±11.5） Hu,胫骨侧为 （104.9±7.4） Hu,两者差异有统计学意义（t=10.15,P=0.000）;股骨侧骨柱体积骨密度为（2.80±0.88） g/cm3,胫骨侧骨柱为（1.88±0.59） g/cm3, 两者差异有统计学意义（t=4.32,P=0.002）。结论 ACL重建术股骨侧隧道松质骨密度大于胫骨侧。     

ACL重建股骨隧道定位及固定方法研究

目的探讨关节镜下应用半腱肌、股薄肌肌腱重建膝前交叉韧带时股骨隧道定位及固定方法。方法经临床及膝关节镜检查诊断的膝前交叉韧带损伤者86例采取镜下修复,分别应用经由内向外及由外向内2种定位方法行股骨隧道定位;股骨隧道固定分别应用Endobutton、Rigidfix及可吸收挤压螺钉3种方法。结果经随访10～26个月,Lachman征、前抽屉试验均为阴性,Lysholm评分从28分到70分,平均56.65分。结论股骨端隧道由内向外定位方法（通过胫骨隧道）创伤略小,适用于Endobutton、Rigidfix等,但受胫骨隧道位置及角度影响,要使股骨端隧道定位点与前交叉韧带股骨外髁解剖止点完全吻合,必须建立精确位置及角度的胫骨隧道。而股骨端隧道由外向内定位方法创伤略大,适用于股骨端挤压螺钉固定,定位点不受胫骨隧道影响,与前交叉韧带股骨外髁解剖止点较易吻合;而各种股骨端固定方法各有利弊,选择最佳的股骨隧道及固定方法将有助于减少术后并发症。     

Single–Achilles Allograft Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: A Technique to Avoid Osseous Tunnel Intersection,Improve Construct Stiffness,and Save on Allograft Utilization

We present a method for single–Achilles allograft medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction that eliminates the risk of tunnel intersection, stiffens the construct, and maximizes utilization of allograft tissue. An Achilles tendon allograft is prepared with an 11- to 12-mm bone plug with a gradual taper to 7 mm over approximately 15 cm. A transtibial PCL tunnel is created under fluoroscopic and arthroscopic guidance. The femoral tunnel is prepared in an “outside-in” fashion under direct arthroscopic visualization, originating at the anatomic origin of the MCL on the medial epicondyle and entering the joint at the anatomic origin of the anterolateral bundle of the PCL. The Achilles graft is pulled into the joint through the tibial tunnel and routed into the femoral tunnel so that the soft tissue exits at the medial epicondyle. The bone plug is fluoroscopically guided to the posterior aperture of the tibial tunnel and fixed with a bioabsorbable interference screw. The pretensioned graft is fixed in the femoral tunnel via interference screw fixation with the knee in 90° of flexion. The isometric position of the MCL insertion is identified with a K-wire isometer, and the graft is fixed in place at this point by use of an interference screw or screw and washer.     

ACL Reconstruction Graft Angle and Outcomes: Transtibial vs Anteromedial Reconstruction

Background

The importance of creating an anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been receiving significant attention. The best technique by which to achieve this anatomic reconstruction continues to be debated. The two most common methods are the transtibial (TT) and anteromedial (AM) techniques. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the literature comparing the two remains uncertain.

Questions/Purposes

In this prospective comparative study, we aimed to compare the ACL graft and tunnel angles achieved using the anatomic transtibial (TT) and anteromedial (AM) techniques; compare the ACL graft and tunnel angles in knees that have undergone ACL reconstruction and knees with intact ACLs; and determine whether differences in the graft or tunnel angle produce differences in clinical outcomes, as measured using both physical exam and patient-reported outcomes, after ACL reconstruction.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction with bone–tendon–bone grafts using a TT or AM technique were included. Femoral graft angle (FGA), tibial graft angle (TGA), and sagittal orientation of the reconstructed ACL and contralateral native ACL were measured on post-operative magnetic resonance imaging. Post-operatively, patients underwent measurement of knee stability and completed the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) survey.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were enrolled (AM group, 14; TT group, 15); at follow-up, KOOS data were available for 26 patients (13 in each group). There were no differences in sagittal ACL graft angle between groups or in comparison with the normal knee. The FGA was more vertical after TT reconstructions; the TGA was comparable between groups. There were no significant differences in 2-year post-operative physical exam measurements or in KOOS scores.

Conclusion

Anatomic ACL angle was restored after reconstruction with both the TT and AM techniques, despite different FGAs. No significant differences in clinical outcome were noted between groups on physical exam or KOOS at 2 years after surgery. These results suggest that TT reconstruction results in a graft position similar to that seen in AM reconstruction and that the location of the intra-articular tunnel aperture matters more than the orientation of the tunnel.

     

膝关节前交叉韧带翻修及影响首次重建疗效的相关因素分析

目的总结影响关节镜下前交叉韧带重建疗效的相关因素。方法回顾性分析135例前交叉韧带翻修病例的相关临床资料,进行膝关节Lysholm评分综合分析。结果膝关节继发性疾患、骨隧道位置、移植物的张力、髁间窝撞击、所移植肌腱的固定和术后康复训练6大因素是影响关节镜下膝关节前交叉韧带重建疗效的关键因素。结论高度重视以上6方面因素并正确处理,能有效提高关节镜下膝关节前交叉韧带重建的成功率和治疗效果。     

Anatomische vordere Kreuzbandersatzoperation mittels Semitendinosus- und Grazilissehne in fremdmaterialfreier Press-fit-Technik

An innovative technique for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been developed in 1998 which allows the grafts to be fixed by press-fit to the femoral and tibial tunnel without any hardware. The semitendinosus (ST) and gracilis tendons (GT) are built into a sling by tying a knot with the tendon ends and securing the knot after conditioning by sutures. For the femoral tunnel the anteromedial porta is used. The correct anatomic position of the single femoral tunnel is checked using intraoperative lateral fluoroscopy by placing the tip of a K-wire to a point between the anteromedial and posterolateral bundle insertion sites. A femoral bottleneck tunnel is drilled to receive the knot of the tendons. The tendon loops filled the tibial tunnel without any suture material. The loops are fixed at the tibial tunnel outlet with tapes over a bone bridge. Between 1998 and 1999 a prospective randomized study (level 1) was conducted comparing this technique with a technique using bone-patellar-tendon graft and press-fit fixation without hardware. In conclusion it was found that implant-free press-fit ACL reconstruction using bone-patella-tendon (BPT) and hamstring tendon (HT) grafts proved to be an excellent procedure to restore stability and function of the knee. Using hamstring tendons (ST and GT) significantly lower donor site morbidity was noted. Kneeling and knee walking pain persisted to be significantly more intense in the BPT up to 9 years after the operation. Re-rupture rates, subjective findings, knee stability and isokinetic testing showed similar results for both grafts. This is the first level I study which demonstrates cartilage protection by ACL reconstruction as long as the meniscus is intact at index surgery, shown by bilateral MRI analysis 9 years post-operation. There was no significant difference in the average grade of chondral and meniscus lesions between BPT and HT and in comparison of the operated to the intact knee, except for grade 3-4 lesions found at the 9 year follow-up, which were significantly higher in the BPT group.     

Effects of notchplasty and femoral tunnel position on excursion patterns of an anterior cruciate ligament graft

Purpose: Errors in femoral tunnel placement in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can cause excessive length changes in the graft during knee flexion and extension, resulting in graft elongation during the postoperative period. To improve the accuracy of tunnel placement and to avoid graft impingement, a notchplasty is commonly performed. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of varying the position of the femoral tunnel and of performing a 2-mm notchplasty of the lateral femoral condyle and roof of the intercondylar notch on excursion patterns of a bone–patellar tendon–bone graft. Type of Study: Biomechanical cadaveric study. Methods: A cylindrical cap of bone, containing the tibial insertion of the ACL, was mechanically isolated in 15 fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens using a coring cutter. The bone cap was attached to an electronic isometer that recorded displacement of the bone cap relative to the tibia as the knee was taken through a 90° range of motion. After native ACL testing, the proximal end of a 10-mm bone–patella tendon–bone graft was fixed within femoral tunnels drilled at the 10-, 11-, and 12-o'clock (or 2-, 1-, and 12-o'clock) positions within the notch. The distal end of the graft was attached to the isometer. Testing was then completed at each tunnel position before and after notchplasty. Results: Before notchplasty, mean graft excursions at the 10- or 2-, 11- or 1-, and 12-o'clock tunnels were not significantly different from the excursions of the native ACL or each other. After a 2-mm notchplasty, mean graft excursions at the 3 tunnel locations were not sigificantly different from each other but were greater than mean graft excursions before notchplasty. After notchplasty, all grafts tightened during knee flexion. Conclusions: Although errors in placement along the arc of the intercondylar notch did not significantly affect graft excursion patterns, the apparent graft tightening with knee flexion that was observed for all 3 tunnel positions after notchplasty suggests that graft forces would increase with knee flexion over this range. This would indicate that as little amount of bone as possible should be removed from the posterior portion of the intercondylar notch in ACL reconstruction.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 4 (April), 2003: pp 340–345