December 27, 2016
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Adjustable suspensory fixation yielded favorable conditions for ACL reconstruction

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Use of adjustable suspensory fixation systems in ACL reconstruction yielded more favorable conditions for the incorporation and ligamentization of four-strand semitendinosus grafts within the tibial tunnel compared with the use of resorbable interference screws, according to results.

Among 121 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction using a single-bundle four-strand semitendinosus graft, researchers fixed the femoral end of the graft using suspensory fixation in all knees. In 67 knees, adjustable suspensory fixation (ASF) systems were used to fix the tibial end of the graft. In 54 knees, resorbable interference screws (RIS) were used. Researchers collected knee laxity measurements at 6 months postoperatively and performed MRI to assess graft incorporation within the tibial tunnel.

Overall, MRI scans of 109 knees were available for analysis at 6-month follow-up. Results showed a mean tibial tunnel enlargement of approximately 2.3 mm in the ASF group and of approximately 4.7 mm in the RIS group. Researchers found excellent Howell graft signal assessment findings in 97% of knees in the ASF group vs. in 25% of knees in the RIS group. The ASF group had a mean signal-to-noise quotient of approximately 0.078 compared with approximately 0.671 in the RIS group, according to results. – by Casey Tingle

 

Disclosures: Colombet receives royalties from SBM. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.