THE SHORT TERM RESULTS FOR A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT USING THE SOFFIX FIXATION DEVICE.

Abstract

Aims: We present the short term results of a method of reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using the Soffix, polyester soft tissue fixation device.

Method: Over a 4-year period, 111 patients underwent reconstruction of the ACL using a 4-strand hamstring graft in combination with a Soffix fixation device. The hamstring tendons were harvested and woven around the Soffix. The tendons are then sutured to the Soffix using polyester baseball type sutures to create a 4-strand graft. Prior to implantation in the knee joint the central part of the Soffix is resected leaving a free tendon window, which eventually becomes intra-articular. Tibial tunnel placement was standardised using the Mayday rhino horn jig. An over the top femoral placement was used together with polysulphon bollard fixation. These patients underwent prospective evaluation in a dedicated research clinic, which included clinical assessment, KT-2000 arthrometric assessment, Lysholm, Tegner and IKDC scoring.

Results: A total of 93 from 111 patients (84%) were available for follow up. The mean follow up time was 22 months (range 12–48). There were 79 males and 14 females with a mean age at operation of 30 years (range 16–48). The pivot shift was abolished in 85% of patients and the mean side to side difference (SSD) was 2.2mm ±1.8. The mean post operative Lysholm score was 93.4 ±8.6, the mean drop in Tegner score was 1.3. 84 patients (90%) scored normal or nearly normal (A or B) using the IKDC system, with no patients scoring D.

Conclusions: We conclude that reconstruction of the ACL using a Soffix-4 strand hamstring graft with an over the top femoral route has good short term subjective and objective outcome measures with a low mean SSD. We recommend this technique in the vast majority of ACL deficient patients.