Tibial Spine Location Influences Tibial Tunnel Placement in Anatomical Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Author(s):  
Takanori Iriuchishima ◽  
Bunsei Goto

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to assess the influence of tibial spine location on tibial tunnel placement in anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). A total of 39 patients undergoing anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction were included in this study (30 females and 9 males; average age: 29 ± 15.2 years). In anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction, the tibial and femoral tunnels were created close to the anteromedial bundle insertion site using a transportal technique. Using postoperative 3D-CT, accurate axial views of the tibia plateau were evaluated. By assuming the medial and anterior borders of the tibia plateau as 0% and the lateral and posterior borders as 100%, the location of the medial and lateral tibial spine, and the center of the tibial tunnel were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between tibial spine location and tibial tunnel placement. The medial tibial spine was located at 54.7 ± 4.5% from the anterior border and 41.3 ± 3% from the medial border. The lateral tibial spine was located at 58.7 ± 5.1% from the anterior border and 55.3 ± 2.8% from the medial border. The ACL tibial tunnel was located at 34.8 ± 7.7% from the anterior border and 48.2 ± 3.4% from the medial border. Mediolateral tunnel placement was significantly correlated with medial and lateral tibial spine location. However, for anteroposterior tunnel placement, no significant correlation was found. A significant correlation was observed between mediolateral ACL tibial tunnel placement and medial and lateral tibial spine location. For clinical relevance, tibial ACL tunnel placement might be unintentionally influenced by tibial spine location. Confirmation of the ACL footprint is required to create accurate anatomical tunnels during surgery. This is a Level III; case–control study.

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Oshima ◽  
Sven Putnis ◽  
Samuel Grasso ◽  
Antonio Klasan ◽  
David Anthony Parker

Background: The combined influence of anatomic and operative factors affecting graft healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction within the femoral notch is not well understood. Purpose: To determine the influence of graft size and orientation in relation to femoral notch anatomy, with the signal/noise quotient (SNQ) of the graft used as a measure of graft healing after primary single-bundle ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 98 patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up after primary single-bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts were included. Graft healing was evaluated at 1 year on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan as the mean SNQ measured from 3 regions situated at sites at the proximal, middle, and distal graft. Patient characteristics, chondropenia severity score, tunnel sizes, tunnel locations, graft bending angle (GBA), graft sagittal angle, posterior tibial slope (PTS), graft length, graft volume, femoral notch volume, and graft-notch volume ratio (measured using postoperative 3-T high-resolution MRI) were evaluated to determine any association with 1-year graft healing. The correlation between 1-year graft healing and clinical outcome at minimum 2 years was also assessed. Results: There was no significant difference in mean SNQ between male and female patients ( P > .05). Univariate regression analysis showed that a low femoral tunnel ( P = .005), lateral tibial tunnel ( P = .009), large femoral tunnel ( P = .011), large tibial tunnel ( P < .001), steep lateral PTS ( P = .010), steep medial PTS ( P = .004), acute graft sagittal angle ( P < .001), acute GBA ( P < .001), large graft volume ( P = .003), and high graft-notch volume ratio ( P < .001) were all associated with higher graft SNQ values. A multivariate regression analysis showed 2 significant factors: a large graft-notch volume ratio ( P = .001) and an acute GBA ( P = .004). The 1-year SNQ had a weak correlation with 2-year Tegner Activity Scale score ( r = 0.227; P = .026) but no other clinical findings, such as International Knee Documentation Committee subjective and Lysholm scores and anterior tibial translation side-to-side difference. Conclusion: The 1-year SNQ value had a significant positive association with graft-notch volume ratio and GBA. Both graft size and graft orientation appeared to have a significant influence on graft healing as assessed on 1-year high-resolution MRI scan.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (08) ◽  
pp. 716-722
Author(s):  
Shu-Ming Ye ◽  
Jue-Hua Jing ◽  
Hao Lv ◽  
Ji-Sen Zhang ◽  
Xin-Zhong Xu ◽  
...  

AbstractTechniques using the anteromedial portal (AMP) and accessory anteromedial portal (AAMP) are commonly used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiological and clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single-bundle ACL reconstruction using the AMP or AAMP technique to drill the femoral tunnel. The records of 157 patients who underwent single-bundle ACL reconstruction using the AMP or AAMP technique between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed. The femoral tunnel clock-face position and femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel anterior–posterior (AP) inclination angles were assessed on axial or AP magnetic resonance images. At last follow-up, the Lachman test and pivot-shift test were used to evaluate AP and rotational stability, respectively. The Lysholm knee scoring scale and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form were used to evaluate clinical and functional results. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in patient age, sex, follow-up period, or affected side distribution. The mean femoral tunnel inclination angle was 31.13 ± 8.06 degrees in the AMP group and 30.17 ± 9.02 degrees in the AAMP group (p = 0.513). The tibial tunnel inclination angle in the AMP group (16.28 ± 7.89 degrees) was not different from that in the AAMP group (13.70 ± 6.08 degrees). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the Lachman test, pivot-shift test, Lysholm knee scoring scale, or IKDC scores. The AAMP technique was not clinically superior to the AMP technique in ACL reconstruction. This is a retrospective comparative study and its level of evidence is III.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (13) ◽  
pp. 3187-3194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Pedneault ◽  
Carl Laverdière ◽  
Adam Hart ◽  
Mathieu Boily ◽  
Mark Burman ◽  
...  

Background: Anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction improves knee kinematics and joint stability in symptomatic patients who have ACL deficiency. Despite a concerted effort to place the graft within the ACL’s native attachment sites, the accuracy of tunnel placement using contemporary techniques is not well established. Purpose: To use 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of tibial tunnel placement after anatomic ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Forty patients with symptomatic, ACL-deficient knees were prospectively enrolled in the study and underwent 3D MRI of both their injured and uninjured knees before and after surgery through use of a validated imaging protocol. The root ligament of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus was used as a radiographic reference, and the center of the reconstructed graft was compared with that of the contralateral normal knee. The tunnel angles and intra-articular graft angles were also measured, as was the percentage overlap between the native tibial footprint and tibial tunnel. Results: The reconstructed tibial footprint was placed at a mean ± SD of 2.14 ± 2.45 mm ( P < .001) medial and 5.11 ± 3.57 mm ( P < .001) posterior to the native ACL footprint. The mean distance between the center of the native and reconstructed ACL at the tibial attachment site was 6.24 mm. Of the 40 patients, 18 patients had a tibial tunnel that overlapped more than 50% of the native footprint, and 10 patients had maximal (100%) overlap. Further, 22 of the 40 patients had less than 50% overlap with the native footprint, and in 12 patients the footprint was missing completely. Conclusion: Despite the use of contemporary surgical techniques to perform anatomic ACL reconstruction, a significant positioning error in tibial tunnel placement remains.


Author(s):  
Takanori Iriuchishima ◽  
Bunsei Goto

AbstractThe purpose of this systematic review was to reveal the trend in surgical technique and tunnel targets points and placement in anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, data collection was performed. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochran Review were searched using the terms “anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction,” “anatomic or anatomical,” and “single bundle.” Studies were included when they reported clinical results, surgical technique, and/or tunnel placement evaluation. Laboratory studies, technical reports, case reports, and reviews were excluded from this study. From these full article reviews, graft selection, method of creating the femoral tunnel, and femoral and tibial tunnel target points and placement were evaluated. In the 79 studies included for data evaluation, the selected grafts were: bone patella tendon bone autograft (12%), and hamstring autograft (83%). The reported methods of creating the femoral tunnel were: transportal technique (54%), outside-in technique (15%), and transtibial technique (19%). In the 60 studies reporting tunnel target points, the target point was the center of the femoral footprint (60%), and the center of the anteromedial bundle footprint (22%). In the 23 studies evaluating tunnel placement, the femoral tunnel was placed in a shallow–deep direction (32.3%) and in a high–low direction (30.2%), and the tibial tunnel was placed from the anterior margin of the tibia (38.1%). The results of this systematic review revealed a trend in anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction favoring a hamstring tendon with a transportal technique, and a tunnel target point mainly at the center of the ACL footprint. The level of evidence stated is Systematic review of level-III studies.


Author(s):  
Harpreet Singh ◽  
Tilak Patel ◽  
Kamal Kumar Agarwal ◽  
Parth Patel ◽  
Dhruv Patel ◽  
...  

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The present study was designed to analyze the postoperative outcome of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with anatomical single bundle hamstring tendons autograft fixed in femoral tunnel using endobutton and in the tibial tunnel using interference screws and reinforced by anterior half of peroneus longus tendon (AHPLT), wherever required.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 39 patients of complete ACL tear underwent arthroscopic anatomical single bundle ACL reconstruction using quadrupled hamstring tendon autograft. It was ensured that the quadrupled graft had a length of at least 7 cm and thickness of at least 8 mm. If either of these requirements were not met, then the graft was supplemented by AHPLT. For functional assessment, international knee documentation committee (IKDC) knee score was taken and clinical tests for antero-posterior stability were done. In addition, the foot and ankle disability index (FADI) scores were used to evaluate the ankle donor site of the AHPLT.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The average graft diameter was 8.74 mm and average graft length was 9.12 cm. There was significant improvement in post op IKDC score when compared with pre op score. There was no antero-posterior instability seen in any of the patients during follow up. 10 patients required an additional graft augmentation with AHPLT. There was no complaint about weakness of the ankle joint after surgery.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with anatomical single bundle hamstring tendon autograft is an excellent treatment option for ACL deficient knees. It gives excellent functional outcome with minimal complications. Graft if small in diameter can be reinforced by AHPLT without any detrimental effect on ankle function.</p>


Author(s):  
Takeshi Oshima ◽  
Samuel Grasso ◽  
Aaron Beach ◽  
Brett Fritsch ◽  
David A Parker

IntroductionThe tibial footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) overlaps with the anterior lateral meniscal root (ALMR), and there is a possibility that an anatomical tibial tunnel reaming might damage the attachment of ALMR. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tibial tunnel location and lateral meniscal extrusion (LME) after anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction.MethodsA prospectively collected database and associated intraoperative findings for 153 patients undergoing primary anatomical ACL reconstruction between October 2014 and July 2016 were investigated. Those cases with no meniscal injury seen at surgery and meeting the criteria (52/153) were included. Tibial plateau length (TPL), width (TPW), tibial tunnel location and LME were evaluated from postoperative high-resolution MRI. The location of the centre of the tibial tunnel was evaluated by the position relative to the medial tibial eminence with two measures, the medial–lateral distance (MLD) and anterior–posterior distance. These measures were expressed as a percentage of the TPW and TPL, respectively. The LME was also expressed as a percentage of TPW and correlated with tibial tunnel location.ResultsThere was a positive correlation between percentage of LME (%LME) and percentage of MLD (%MLD) (r=0.478; p<0.001). Applying receiver operating characteristic analysis, we determined that a cut-off value of 4 %MLD was significant. The mean percentage of LME was 1.20 for >4 %MLD, compared with 0.17 for ≤4 %MLD (p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between %LME and clinical outcomes at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionLateral location of the tibial tunnel increases the rate of LME after single-bundle ACL reconstruction.Level of evidenceLevel IV, Case series.


Author(s):  
Shinichiro Nakamura ◽  
Yoshihisa Tanaka ◽  
Shinichi Kuriyama ◽  
Kohei Nishitani ◽  
Mutsumi Watanabe ◽  
...  

AbstractTunnel position during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is considered as an important factor to restore normal knee kinematics and to gain better clinical outcomes. It is still unknown where the optimal femoral and tibial tunnel position is located in single-bundle (SB) ACL reconstruction. The purposes of this study were to analyze the knee kinematics with various graft positions and to propose the optimal graft position during SB ACL reconstruction. A musculoskeletal computer simulation was used to analyze knee kinematics. Four attachments on the femoral side (anteromedial [AM], mid, posterolateral [PL], and over-the-top positions) and three attachments on the tibial side (AM, middle, and PL positions) were determined. The middle-bundle attachment was placed at the midpoint of the AM and PL bundle attachments for the femoral and tibial attachments. SB ACL reconstruction models were constructed to combine each of the four femoral attachments with each of three tibial attachments. Kinematic comparison was made among a double-bundle (DB) model and 12 SB reconstruction models during deep knee bend and stair descent activity. The tunnel position of the tibia had greater effect of knee kinematics than that of the femur. AM tibial attachment models showed similar medial and lateral anteroposterior positions to the DB model for both activities. Axial rotation in the AM tibial attachment models was similar to the DB model regardless of the femoral attachment, whereas greater maximum axial rotation was exhibited in the PL tibial attachment models, especially during stair descent activity. AM tibial attachment can represent normal knee kinematics, whereas the PL tibial attachment can induce residual rotational instability during high-demand activities. The AM tibial tunnel is recommended for SB ACL reconstruction.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 481-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erhan Sukur ◽  
, Yunus Emre Akman ◽  
, Ahmet Senel ◽  
, Ethem Ayhan Unkar ◽  
, Huseyin Nevzat Topcu ◽  
...  

Background: Among the many factors that determine the outcome following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, the position of the femoral tunnel is known to be critically important and is still the subject of extensive research. Objective: We aimed to retrospectively compare the outcomes of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using transtibial (TT) or anteromedial (AMP) drilling techniques for femoral tunnel placement. Methods: ACL reconstruction was performed using the TT technique in 49 patients and the AMP technique in 56 patients. Lachman and pivot-shift tests, the Lysholm Knee Scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner activity scale and visual analog scale (VAS) were used for the clinical and functional evaluation of patients. Time to return to normal life and time to jogging were assessed in addition to the radiological evaluation of femoral tunnel placement. Results: In terms of the Lysholm, IKDC, Tegner score, and stability tests, no significant differences were found between the two groups (p > 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed reduced time to return to normal life and jogging in the AMP group (p < 0.05). The VAS score was also significantly reduced in the AMP group (p < 0.05). The position of the femoral tunnel was anatomically appropriate in 51 patients in the AMP group and 5 patients in the TT group. Conclusion: The AMP technique is superior to the TT technique in creating anatomical femoral tunnel placement during single-bundle ACL reconstruction and provides faster recovery in terms of return to normal life and jogging at short-term follow-up.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11_suppl6) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0046
Author(s):  
Isa An Nagib

An Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear is the most common ligamentous injury of the knees. ACL reconstruction restore stability and kinematics of the knee joint, by improving knee stability. There are so many surgical techniques in ACL reconstruction. One of the most common technique is Single Bundle ACL reconstruction with the hamstring autograft. A good knowledge about operating technique and step by step approach are crucial for successfully procedure. The first step is patient positioning, including the leg holder should be placed proximal enough to allow full knee flexion and extension during procedure, it should be checked before starting the procedure. The second step is graft harvest, the autograft is prepared from the affected knee hamstring muscles, make a proper identification of the Gracilis and Semitendinosus tendon. The third step is portal placement, make a good native ACL attachment identification. Fourth step is femoral tunnel creation, avoid posterior wall blowout. Fifth step is tibial tunnel creation, remaining ACL fibers should be a landmark of the native ACL insertion site. Preserve the meniscal root insertion to prevent iatrogenic meniscus root avulsion. Sixth step is fixation, cycle the knee several times while applying traction to remove any slack out of the graft and to make sure there is non-impingement when fix the graft.


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