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Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 9/2007

01-11-2007 | Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine

Initial fixation strength of a new hybrid technique for femoral ACL graft fixation: the bone wedge technique

Authors: Mirco Herbort, Andre Weimann, Thore Zantop, Michael Strobel, Michael Raschke, Wolf Petersen

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 9/2007

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Abstract

Background

Aperture fixation with interference screws matching the diameter of the tunnel is associated with the risk of graft laceration and graft rotation.

Hypothesis

A hybrid fixation technique (extracortical and aperture fixation) with undersized interference screw placed behind a bone wedge provides a higher fixation strength as aperture fixation with a screw alone matching the size of the tunnel.

Study design

Experimental laboratory study.

Methods

We evaluated the initial fixation strength (single cycle and cyclic loading tests) of hybrid and interference screw aperture fixation using different sized interference screws in porcine knees.

Results

Analysis of yield load, maximum load and stiffness in the single cycle loading test showed no statistically significant differences for hybrid fixation with a 1 mm undersized screw and aperture fixation with a screw matching the size of the tunnel. The use of an undersized screw alone resulted in low fixation strength.

Conclusion

The initial fixation strength of the hybrid technique with undersized screws is comparable to that of interference screw fixation matching the size.

Clinical relevance

The new “bone wedge fixation” is an alternative for ACL graft fixation without the risk of graft laceration and graft rotation.
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Metadata
Title
Initial fixation strength of a new hybrid technique for femoral ACL graft fixation: the bone wedge technique
Authors
Mirco Herbort
Andre Weimann
Thore Zantop
Michael Strobel
Michael Raschke
Wolf Petersen
Publication date
01-11-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 9/2007
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-006-0217-3

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