Biomechanical Evaluation of a Double-bundle Technique for the Reconstruction of the ACL

G. Papachristou, J. Sourlas, and E.A. Magnissalis (Greece)

Keywords

orthopaedics, ligaments and tendons, ACL reconstruction,biomechanics

Abstract

This article presents an innovative double bundle surgical technique for the reconstruction of ACL and reports on the findings of in vitro testing conducted for biomechanical evaluation. ACL reconstruction is a surgical technique aiming at the restoration of the forward knee stability. The evaluated innovative surgical technique intends to improve the outcome in the full range of joint motion, using two grafts with common origin and different insertions. A comparative biomechanical evaluation of joint laxity was conducted on porcine knee joints, treated with the innovative (double bundle) and the conventional (one bundle) techniques. At the as-received intact condition, all joints exhibited the same laxity. Under reconstructed condition, the new technique offered significantly lower laxity. Increasing the distance between graft insertions further enhances the performance of the new technique. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 The Surgical Technique The principle of the reported technique is exhibited in Figure 1. The ACL (shown as a stretched cone) is substituted by two grafts in the form of a triangular double bundle (axes of grafts shown by broken lines), sharing a common origin and rooting at different insertions. Distance d between these insertion points is the base of the triangular reconstruction. Surgically, this

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