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Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction tunnel size: causes of tunnel enlargement and implications for single versus two-stage revision reconstruction

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Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions have increased over the past 25 years. The increased incidence of ACL reconstructions has translated into a larger number of graft failures and revision ACL procedures. It is important to understand the causes of graft failure when evaluating for a revision ACL reconstruction and to appreciate changes in tunnel anatomy over time prior to planning revision surgery. In this manuscript, tunnel size for ACL reconstruction and implications for single-stage versus two-stage revision ACL reconstruction will be discussed, as well as causes of tunnel enlargement, including mechanical and biological factors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Resident PGY-5, Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL, USA

    Magda Rizer

  2. Radiology Resident PGY-2, Department of Radiology, University of Miami /Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA

    Gregory Brian Foremny

  3. Orthopedic Surgery Resident PGY-2, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Miami /Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, USA

    Augustus Rush III

  4. Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Adam D. Singer

  5. Department of Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Michael Baraga

  6. Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Kinesiology and Sports Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Lee D. Kaplan

  7. Sports Medicine Imaging, Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Jean Jose

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  1. Magda Rizer
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  2. Gregory Brian Foremny
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Correspondence to Magda Rizer.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Rizer, M., Foremny, G.B., Rush, A. et al. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction tunnel size: causes of tunnel enlargement and implications for single versus two-stage revision reconstruction. Skeletal Radiol 46, 161–169 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-016-2535-z

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