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Comparison of tunnel placements and clinical results of single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction before and after starting the use of double-bundle technique

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate whether the locations of the grafts in single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have changed to more anatomical as the double-bundle (DB) method has become more familiar.

Methods

Operation using anteromedial (not transtibial) portal and freehand technique [Group A (N = 25) in 2003, Group B (N = 25) in 2007]. The evaluation methods preoperatively and at the 2-year follow-up (two blinded examiners): clinical examination, stability measurement (KT-1000 arthrometer), the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and the Lysholm knee scores. A musculoskeletal radiologist made tunnel measurements from the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results

The average tunnel placement in the femoral side: from Blumensaat’s line 27 % (Group A) and 26 % (Group B), from the posterior edge of the femur 32 % (Group A) and 29 % (Group B). The average tunnel placement in the tibial side: from the anterior edge 45 % (Group A) and 45 % (Group B), from the lateral side 57 % (Group A) and 54 % (Group B) (P = 0.024). Graft failures ending up to revision ACL surgery: 4 (Group A) and 0 (Group B) (P = 0.045). Operation time reduced 19 min (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Tunnel placement at the femoral side was already very low (anatomical) in patients operated in 2003. No significant difference was found when comparing to the patients operated in 2007. There were significantly more graft failures in the Group A, suggesting that the use of the DB method in ACL surgery in 2007 may have also improved the technique and results of the SB ACL reconstruction.

Level of evidence

Prospective comparative study, Level II.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tampere University Hospital (TAYS), Tampere, Finland

    Piia Suomalainen, Anna-Stina Moisala & Antti Paakkala

  2. Sports Clinic and Hospital Mehiläinen, Tampere, Finland

    Timo Järvelä

  3. UKK Institute, Tampere, Finland

    Pekka Kannus

Authors
  1. Piia Suomalainen
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  2. Anna-Stina Moisala
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  3. Antti Paakkala
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  4. Pekka Kannus
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  5. Timo Järvelä
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Correspondence to Piia Suomalainen.

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Suomalainen, P., Moisala, AS., Paakkala, A. et al. Comparison of tunnel placements and clinical results of single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction before and after starting the use of double-bundle technique. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21, 646–653 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-1981-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-1981-y

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