Graft Retensioning Technique Using an Adjustable-Loop Fixation Device in Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are an unfortunate and devastating injury in the athletic patient. Surgical reconstruction of the ACL with a taut graft construct is necessary to restore knee stability and help expedite the patient's return to an active lifestyle. Arthroscopy-assisted ACL...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joseph T. Gamboa, M.D., Edward C. Shin, M.D., Neil P. Pathare, M.D., Patrick J. McGahan, M.D., James L. Chen, M.D., M.P.H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2018-02-01
Series:Arthroscopy Techniques
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212628717303365
Description
Summary:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are an unfortunate and devastating injury in the athletic patient. Surgical reconstruction of the ACL with a taut graft construct is necessary to restore knee stability and help expedite the patient's return to an active lifestyle. Arthroscopy-assisted ACL reconstruction can be a technically involved procedure, where strong fixation limits graft motion to allow sufficient healing within the tibial and femoral tunnels at the bone-tendon interfaces. Loss of tension in a graft can cause symptomatic anterior or rotatory instability and potential retear of the ACL graft. We describe in this Technical Note and accompanying video a simple and effective technique to implant and retension a tendon graft during ACL reconstruction using a suspensory fixation device. The technical description uses a simple adjustable-loop device to provide strong cortical fixation, along with the unique ability to retension the graft in ACL reconstruction, not otherwise possible with previously described graft fixation techniques.
ISSN:2212-6287