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ACL graft with extra-cortical fixation rotates around the femoral tunnel aperture during knee flexion

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

An understanding of the behavior of a new ACL graft in the femoral tunnel during knee motion and external loading can provide information pertinent to graft healing, tunnel enlargement, and graft failure. The purpose of the study was to measure the percentage of the tunnel filled by the graft and determine the amount and location of the graft–tunnel contact with knee motion and under external knee loads.

Methods

Single bundle anatomical ACL reconstruction was performed on six cadaveric knees. Specimens were positioned with a robotic testing system under: (1) passive flexion–extension, (2) 89-N anterior and posterior tibial loads, (3) 5-N m internal and external torques, and (4) 7-N m valgus moment. The knees were then dissected, repositioned by the robot and the geometry of the femoral tunnel and graft were digitized by laser scanning. The percentage of tunnel filled and the contact region between graft and tunnel at the femoral tunnel aperture were calculated.

Results

The graft occupies approximately 70% of the femoral tunnel aperture and anterior tibial loading tended to reduce this value. The graft contacted about 60% of the tunnel circumference and the location of the graft–tunnel contact changed significantly with knee flexion.

Conclusion

This study found that the graft tends to rotate around the tunnel circumference during knee flexion–extension and contract under knee loading. The “windshield–wiper” and “bungee cord” effect may contribute to femoral tunnel enlargement, affect graft healing, and lead to graft failure. There can be a considerable motion of the graft in the tunnel after surgery and appropriate rehabilitation time should be allowed for graft–tunnel healing to occur. To reduce graft motion, consideration should be given to interference screw fixation or a graft with bone blocks, which may allow an earlier return to activity.

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Funding

No external funding was received for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China

    Junjun Zhu

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3471 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1011, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Monica A. Linde, Freddie H. Fu & Patrick Smolinski

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Brandon Marshall, Freddie H. Fu & Patrick Smolinski

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital/Medical College, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Xin Tang

Authors
  1. Junjun Zhu
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  2. Brandon Marshall
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  3. Xin Tang
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  4. Monica A. Linde
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  5. Freddie H. Fu
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  6. Patrick Smolinski
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Contributions

JZ and BM carried out the study and participated in data collection and interpretation. XT provided technical support and design. ML participated in study conception and design, provided critical revision of the manuscript. FF and PS helped in the analysis and interpretation of data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick Smolinski.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Institutional approval (Committee for Oversight of Research and Clinical Training Involving Decedents #453) was obtained.

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Zhu, J., Marshall, B., Tang, X. et al. ACL graft with extra-cortical fixation rotates around the femoral tunnel aperture during knee flexion. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 30, 116–123 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06703-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-021-06703-8

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