THE “ALL CROSS-PIN” FIXASTION TECHNIQUE IN ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTIN.

Abstract

The purpose to prospectively compare two types of tibial fixation in a series of 160 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions.

160 ACL reconstructions were performed on 159 patients over a period of 3 years. These patients were prospectively and randomly divided into 2 groups based on the method of tibial fixation of the ACL graft. In one group, an Intrafix system was employed and in the other, Rigidfix crosspins. All ACL reconstructions were carried out arthroscopically, in the standard way, using a quadrupled hamstring tendon graft. In all cases the hamstring grafts were harvested through a single vertical incision over the pes anserinus insertion on the proximal tibia, 2cm medial to the midline. Number 2 Ethibond whip sutures were used to prepare the graft appropriately in each group.

Patients were evaluated at the 6-month and the 1-year mark, by an independent observer who was blinded to the study. The assessments consisted of manual maximum KT1000 measurements, tegner and lysholm evaluations and single leg straight and crossed over tests.

The clinical results between the two groups are similar with the cross-pin method of fixation on both sides of the joint providing satisfactory stability in the ACL reconstructed knee.

The hypothesis was proven and both methods of fixation were found to be clinically satisfactory in providing an acceptable degree of stability following ACL reconstruction at 1 year post-op.