Abstract
Purpose Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial insertion avulsion fractures cause instability of the knee joint, and minimally invasive techniques are the first choice for treating this type of intra-articular injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of a single tunnel with a double-strand suture anchor in the treatment of ACL tibial insertion avulsion fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the data for 29 patients, comprising 15 males and 14 females, with Meyers-McKeever type II or III ACL tibial insertion avulsion fractures treated with a single tunnel using a double-strand suture anchor under arthroscopy from January 2014 to June 2018. All 29 patients in this group were followed up for 12 months. The Lachman test was used to evaluate knee joint stability, the Lysholm score was used to evaluate knee joint function, and postoperative X-rays were used to evaluate healing after fracture reduction. Results All 29 patients completed the follow-up. During the 12-month follow-up period, postoperative X-rays showed that all ACL tibial insertion avulsion fractures healed well and the pre-fracture function was restored. All incisions performed in patients healed well, and no surgical complications, such as infection or fracture nonunion, occurred. The anterior drawer test (ADT) and Lachman test were negative for the patients, and the knee function recovered well. The preoperative Lysholm score was 51.14 ± 2.34, and the preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score was 51.24 ± 3.16; the Lysholm score at the last follow-up was 92.52 ± 1.35, and the IKDC subjective score at the last follow-up was 92.93 ± 2.59 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, a single tunnel with a double-strand suture anchor under arthroscopy for the treatment of ACL tibial insertion avulsion fracture was a simple procedure. The procedure caused minimal trauma, achieved good reduction, had firm fixation, ensured quick recovery, caused few complications, ensured good functional recovery, and provided satisfactory clinical results.Level of evidence: IV