Abstract
To evaluate the functional outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bioabsorbable femoral cross-pin fixation
30 patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency, treated by arthroscopic reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft have been reviewed. 3.3mm bioabsorbable (polylactic acid) cross-pins (Rigidfix, Ethicon) were used for graft fixation in the femoral tunnel. Outcome assessment was performed using Lysholm score,Tegner activity level, KT-1000 Arthrometer laxity measurements, single legged hop test and SF-36 evaluation. There were 20 male and 10 female patients with an age between 17 and 45 years(mean 25.1 yrs).The mean follow up was 20.3 months (range12–29 months). The mean Tegner score was 5.5 with a range of 3 to 7. Lysholm scores averaged 88.27 with a range of 74 to 100. The range of movement in the operated knee was comparable to that in normal knee. The single legged hop was 93.4% of the unoperated side. The average KT-1000 side to side difference was 3.2 mm using a 30 lb force and 3.5mm on manual maximal load.
Biabsorbable femoral cross-pin fixation offers a viable and safe method of graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and yeilds a satisfactory functional outcome.
Correspondence should be addressed to Roger Smith, Honorary Secretary, BASK c/o Royal College of Surgeons, 35 – 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
