Length of the Tendon within the Tibial Tunnel Affects Tibial Tunnel Widening following Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using a Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Graft

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (05) ◽  
pp. 445-451
Author(s):  
Shuji Taketomi ◽  
Hiroshi Inui ◽  
Ryota Yamagami ◽  
Kohei Kawaguchi ◽  
Keiu Nakazato ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the effects of variations in the length of the tendon within the tibial tunnel on tunnel widening (TW) following anatomical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using a bone–patellar tendon–bone (BTB) graft. In total, 68 patients who underwent isolated ACL reconstructions using BTB grafts were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the length of the tendon within the tibial tunnel: group S (n = 30; tendon length, < 10 mm) and group L (n = 38; tendon length, ≥ 10 mm). Tunnel aperture area was measured using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) at 1 week and 1 year postoperatively, and tibial TW (%) was calculated. The correlation coefficient between the length of the tendon within the tibial tunnel and tibial TW was also calculated. Clinical assessment was performed 1 year postoperatively, corresponding to the period of CT assessment, which involved the evaluation of the Lysholm's score, measurement of anterior knee stability using a KneeLax3 arthrometer, and the pivot-shift test. A weak positive correlation was observed between the length of the tendon within the tibial tunnel and tibial TW (r = 0.270, p = 0.026). Mean tibial tunnel aperture area increased by 19.3 ± 17.4% and 35.8 ± 25.4% in the groups S and L, respectively. TW in the group L was significantly greater than that in the group S (p = 0.004). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in any clinical outcomes. In conclusion, a longer tendinous portion within the tibial tunnel resulted in a greater tibial TW following anatomical ACL reconstructions using a BTB graft.

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nam-Hong Choi ◽  
Jong-Seok Oh ◽  
Seok-Hyun Jung ◽  
Brian N. Victoroff

Background: Previous reports have shown that graft fixation with the Endobutton is associated with tunnel widening because it provides distant fixation rather than aperture fixation. Hypothesis: A longer loop of the Endobutton results in greater tunnel widening than a shorter loop. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 171 consecutive patients underwent hamstring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction fixed with the Endobutton. They were followed for a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. A 15-mm loop was used in 20 patients, a 20-mm loop in 53, a 25-mm loop in 58, and a >30-mm loop in 40. On anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral radiographs, the measured diameters of the femoral tunnel at 2 years after surgery were compared with the diameter of the reamer used at surgery. The measured diameter of the tibial tunnel at 2 years after surgery was compared with measurements taken on the immediate postoperative day. The center of the tibial tunnel and direction of the ACL graft were also measured. Postoperative knee stability was evaluated using the Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and KT-1000 arthrometer. Functional evaluations were performed using the Lysholm score and Tegner activity scale. All measurements were compared among the 4 groups according to the length of the Endobutton loop. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) diameter of the femoral tunnel increased by 50.7% ± 23.3% and 37.0% ± 18.8% on AP and lateral radiographs at 2 years after surgery, respectively. The mean ± SD diameter of the tibial tunnel increased by 40.8% ± 19.3% and 46.4% ± 22.6% on AP and lateral radiographs, respectively. No significant difference in tunnel widening was present according to the length of the Endobutton loop. There were no significant differences in the average center of the tibial tunnel or the average angle of the direction of the ACL graft among the 4 groups. There was no significant difference in Lachman test results, postoperative KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side differences, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale score among the 4 groups. The group with a >30-mm loop showed a significant difference in the pivot-shift test than the other 3 groups ( P = .023). Conclusion: A longer Endobutton loop did not result in greater tunnel widening than a shorter loop. Long fixation distance may not be associated with tunnel widening after hamstring ACL reconstructions.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1202-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ottmar Gorschewsky ◽  
Andreas Klakow ◽  
Kathrin Riechert ◽  
Martin Pitzl ◽  
Roland Becker

Background The use of an allograft as a suitable transplant is still open to debate, in terms of donor morbidity, implantation reaction, and long-term results, as well as the risk of disease transmission. Hypothesis The clinical results 2 and 6 years after implantation of a bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft (Tutoplast) and bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft show no significant difference in relation to stability, function, and rate of rupture. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Method Between 1995 and 1998, 268 patients with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures were surgically treated: 132 patients received a bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft implantation and 136 patients a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. The results were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee, Noyes, and Lysholm scores. Results There were 201 patients assessable after 2 years and 186 patients after 6 years. Ruptures of the implants in the allo-graft group occurred in 20 patients (20.6%) within 2 years and in 38 patients (44.7%) after 6 years. In the autograft group, transplants ruptured in 5 patients (4.8%) after 2 years and in 6 patients (5.9%) after 6 years. Conclusion Based on the data, it would appear that the regular use of bone-patellar tendon-bone allografts, particularly for physically active patients, is unsuitable.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (11_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967114S0013
Author(s):  
Musa Uğur Mermerkaya ◽  
Ahmet Özgür Atay ◽  
Şenol Bekmez ◽  
Fatih Karaaslan ◽  
Erkan Alkan ◽  
...  

Objectives: To compare femoral and tibial tunnel widening (TW) in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an interference screw (IS), or an EndoButton-Continuous Loop (EndoButton-CL®) on the femoral side, and an IS/staple on the tibial side. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on 46 patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with Achilles tendon allografting. Fixation was performed with a bioabsorbable IS (the IS group) in 24 patients (mean age 26.5 years), and with the EndoButton-CL device (the EB group) in 22 patients (mean age 28.1 years) on the femoral side. Evaluation included standardized anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiography. The diameters of tunnels at the last follow-up visit (at a median time of 17 months postoperatively) were compared to those noted on radiographs taken 1 day postoperatively. Results: The two groups were similar in terms of age and gender distribution, the operated side, the size of the tunnel created, and the follow-up period (p>0.05). Femoral TW at the proximal and middle levels (on both anteroposterior and lateral views) in the IS group was significantly greater than in the EB group (p<0.050 for all comparisons). No significant difference in femoral TW at the distal level was evident between the groups, and tibial TW at all levels was similar in both groups (p>0.050). Conclusion: Femoral ACL graft fixation using an EndoButton-CL reduced femoral TW compared to use of an IS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1417-1423
Author(s):  
Seyed Shahnam Moosavi ◽  
Saeed Azar Sina ◽  
Mohammad Fakoor

Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone autograft (BPTB) and four-strand semitendinosus-gracilis (hamstring) graft are the most common methods for reconstructing anterior cruciate ligament but there is still controversy over the best method. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic results of two methods of BPTB and four-strand semitendinosus-gracilis (hamstring) grafts using arthroscopic treatment in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. This retrospective study was performed on 85 patients with ACL rupture aged 17-45 years who referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahwaz from the beginning of 2016 to the end of 2017 who had undergone two years of ACL reconstruction surgery, either by bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft (BPTB) (open surgery) (n=23) or four-strand hamstring autograft (semitendinosus-gracilis) (by arthroscopy) (n=25). Lysholm score was used for knee functional status assessment, Lachman test for tendon laxity, and pivot shift test for strength evaluation. The 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36) was also completed and compared at the last follow-up. Patients were also evaluated by type of daily activity (heavy or light activity). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the Lysholm score (P>0.05) and both groups were classified as “Good”. There was no significant difference between the frequency distribution of patients based on Lachman test results and pivot shift results (P>0.05). None of the patients in the two groups had any rupture within two years after treatment. Both groups had good satisfaction with treatment and quality of life and there was no statistically significant difference between the mean SF-36 scores (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the light and heavy activity groups. Although complication in short-term follow-up was more in patients undergoing open surgery, the functional level and treatment satisfaction in patients treated by open surgery (bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft) and arthroscopy (four-strand hamstring autograft) were not significantly different after two years. Therefore, according to the surgeon's diagnosis or the patient's choice, both methods can be selected; method with acceptable therapeutic outcomes in reconstructing the anterior cruciate ligament.


2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hironori Otsuka ◽  
Yasuyuki Ishibashi ◽  
Eiichi Tsuda ◽  
Kazuhiro Sasaki ◽  
Satoshi Toh

Background: Anatomic fixation of the graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has improved stability of the reconstructed knee joint in experimental studies. Hypothesis: Anatomic fixation of the bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft will reduce tunnel enlargement and improve clinical results. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Sixty patients were randomly divided into three groups: a nonanatomic fixation group (traditional single-incision reconstruction), an anatomic fixation group (reconstruction in which a bone plug was grafted into the tibial tunnel), and an anatomic fixation group with all-inside reconstruction. Stability of the knee joint was examined with a KT-1000 arthrometer at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. At 12 months, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were made to assess tunnel enlargement. Results: Although the magnitude of tibial displacement gradually increased after reconstruction in all three groups, the anatomic fixation group had significantly better stability than the groups undergoing nonanatomic fixation or all-inside anatomic fixation at 4 and 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, there was no significant difference between the three groups at 24 months. Regarding the tibial tunnel, residual rates and enlargement of tunnels were different between the reconstruction techniques. The nonanatomic reconstruction group had significantly greater tunnel enlargement. Conclusion: Anatomic fixation of the graft decreased the tunnel enlargement but had no effect on knee stability at 2-year follow-up.


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