Arthroscopic Treatment of Tibial Eminence Avulsion Fracture With Suture Tensioning Technique

Abstract

Although a tibial eminence avulsion fracture is a rare knee injury, it can result in some complications such as nonunion, limited range of motion, and anterior instability of the knee if the displaced fracture is not well reduced. Arthroscopic procedures for this fracture have been commonly performed in recent years. In patients with small fragments, a pullout operation is usually performed, but arthroscopic suture reduction is technically difficult. In addition, anterior instability of the knee may remain even if the fragment is well reduced at the time of the surgical procedure. Generally, surgeons are concerned about anatomic reduction compared with appropriate tensioning during surgery. Therefore, one of the key points to avoid remaining anterior instability of the knee is to obtain and maintain appropriate tensioning. The purpose of this article is to present an easy and safe technique for acquisition of appropriate tensioning using a tensioning device for tibial eminence avulsion fractures. Although it has limitations, this technique can facilitate the reduction of tibial eminence avulsion fractures and appropriate tensioning of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Fig 1

For preoperative preparation, computed tomography is performed to evaluate a displaced tibial eminence avulsion fracture (arrow).

Fig 2

A computed tomography scan of the right knee in the sagittal plane shows a type III displaced tibial eminence avulsion fracture (arrow).

Fig 3

A 3-dimensional computed tomography scan of the right knee shows a displaced tibial eminence avulsion fracture (arrow).

Fig 4

The patient, under general anesthesia, is placed in the supine position on an operative table with a standard leg holder (Mizuho) allowing full range of motion. Standard knee arthroscopy is performed with anterolateral and anteromedial portals. Initially, a complete diagnostic arthroscopy is performed. The anterior cruciate ligament is probed to ensure that the femoral attachment is intact and there is no intraligamentous tear. A 3.5-mm shaver (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy) is used to remove the fracture debris and blood clots so that the avulsed bone fragment and fracture site (arrow) are well visualized.

Fig 5

No. 2 FiberWire suture is attached to the Scorpion suture passer (arrow).

Fig 6

The Scorpion suture passer with attached No. 2 FiberWire suture is used to tie suture to the anterior cruciate ligament near the base of its insertion on the fragment. Thereafter, a small incision is made medial to the tibial tubercle. A 2.4-mm Kirschner wire is drilled from medial to the tibial tubercle to the anterior half of the bony fracture bed of the tibia by using an anterior cruciate ligament guide. The suture is pulled out through the tibial tunnel with a suture retriever or 18-gauge needle with loop suture made of No. 2-0 monofilament nylon. Anatomic reduction of the avulsed fracture can be obtained by pulling down the FiberWire (arrow).

Fig 7

Two tunnels are created on the medial and lateral side of the fracture bed with a standard anterior cruciate ligament guide (Arthrex or Smith & Nephew Endoscopy) using a 2.4-mm Kirschner wire. The Scorpion suture passer with attached No. 2 FiberWire suture is used to stitch the anterior cruciate ligament again, and a second suture is pulled out through the tibial tunnel with a suture retriever or 18-gauge needle with loop suture made of No. 2-0 monofilament nylon (arrow).

Fig 8

A tensioning technique (Tighting Gun TGL) is used for appropriate tensioning (right knee). After temporary fixation, knee stability is evaluated with the Lachman test. Final tensioning is performed with the Tighting Gun (arrow) regardless of the knee flexion angle again, if necessary. The tension of the anterior cruciate ligament should be confirmed with a probe under direct arthroscopic visualization. Last, the first and second sutures are tied over the tibial cortex.

Fig 9

Postoperative computed tomography should be performed to evaluate the reduction of the fragment. A postoperative computed tomography scan of the right knee in the sagittal plane shows anatomic reduction of the fragment (arrow).

Fig 10

A postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography scan shows that anatomic reduction (arrow) is obtained.