Press-fit fixation in reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament, using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft

Abstract

We studied arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using patellar ligament-bone graft fixed to the femur by press-fit technique. The main feature of this technique was a stable bony fixation on the femoral site without using interference screws or other fixation devices. We treated 42 patients with ACL rupture by this technique; clinical examination was carried out preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, and then every 6 months using the standard criteria for evaluation of the IKDC (mean follow-up 29 months, 22-41). CT and MRI were performed 6 months postoperatively. According to IKDC score 37 knee (88%) were graded as normal or nearly normal, 4 (10%) as abnormal, and one (2%) as severely abnormal, none of the poor results was due to instability. Reconstruction of the ACL by press-fit technique is a more anatomically oriented method of fixation without the complications of interference screws at the femoral attachment of the graft.