Abstract
Statement: This is the first report of a supracondylar femoral fracture following ACL reconstruction using a transfixation pin
Methods: A 38 yr old secretary was admitted for an elective ACL reconstruction. The operative procedure involved harvesting of the hamstrings, with drilling of an 8 mm tibial tunnel and the graft fixed with a 10 × 35mm screw. Femoral tunnel placement was performed arthroscopically and fixation of the graft in the tunnel was using the Arthrex system. No untoward events were recorded in the notes. Post-operatively, the patient was mobilised according to the surgeons standard guidelines.
At 6 week review, the patient complained of increasing pain, inability to fully weight bear and a decreased range of movement. 35 fixed flexion deformity, 30 degrees external rotation and 20 degrees of valgus of the leg. Radiographs revealed a transverse supracondylar fracture extending through the level of the pin fixation.
Subsequent surgery involved an osteotomy to correct the deformity and application of a lateral femoral plate After fixation direct inspection of the retained anterior cruciate ligament, revealed and intact graft that functioned through the full range of movement.
At nine months, the patient is fully weight bearing has returned to her pre-injury sporting level and has a range of movement of 0–110 degrees. There was no objective knee instability and the patient is satisfied with the outcome.
Femoral fractures have rarely been reported in the literature following ACL reconstruction and these are usually associated with drilling of an enlarged femoral tunnel. We report a rare case of a transverse supracondylar femoral fracture following ACL reconstruction, with the fracture occurring through the fixation tract not the femoral tunnel.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr T Wilton, c/o BOA, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE, England.
