Published in:
01-04-2020 | KNEE
ACL reconstruction with adjustable-length loop cortical button fixation results in less tibial tunnel widening compared with interference screw fixation
Authors:
Raul Mayr, Vinzenz Smekal, Christian Koidl, Christian Coppola, Martin Eichinger, Ansgar Rudisch, Christof Kranewitter, René Attal
Published in:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
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Issue 4/2020
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Abstract
Purpose
To compare tunnel widening and clinical outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with interference screw fixation and all-inside reconstruction using button fixation.
Methods
Tunnel widening was assessed using tunnel volume and diameter measurements on computed tomography (CT) scans after surgery and 6 months and 2 years later, and compared between the two groups. The clinical outcome was assessed after 2 years with instrumented tibial anteroposterior translation measurements, hop testing and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm and Tegner activity scores.
Results
The study population at the final follow-up was 14 patients with screw fixation and 16 patients with button fixation. Tibial tunnels with screw fixation showed significantly larger increase in tunnel volume over time (P = 0.021) and larger tunnel diameters after 2 years in comparison with button fixation (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in femoral tunnel volume changes over time or in tunnel diameters after 2 years. No significant differences were found in the clinical outcome scores.
Conclusions
All-inside ACLR using button fixation was associated with less tibial tunnel widening and smaller tunnels after 2 years in comparison with ACLR using screw fixation. The need for staged revision ACLRs may be greater with interference screws in comparison with button fixation at the tibial tunnel. The clinical outcomes in the two groups were comparable.
Level of evidence
II.
RCT: Consort NCT01755819.