Femoral Fixations in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstraction: Comparsion between Three Different Fixation Techniqes

The anterior cruciate ligament is the primary structure that controls anterior displacement in the unloaded knee. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may return normal functions of the knee. The aim of the present study was to compare three different femoral fixation techniques in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In a clinical trial study 120 patients that were candidates for ACL reconstraution were randomly divided into 3 groups of 40 individuals. The femoral fixations were by the three methods of "Aperfix" "Rigidfix" or "Endobutton". The cases were re-examined 12 months after surgery and evaluated by Lysholm score as well as with KT-1000 machine. The results were compered together for the three above methods. The Lysholm score showed improvement from pre-operative values in all three techniques: From 63.21±18.59 to 90.64±9.47 in "Endobutton" group from 65.72±18.74 to 96.22±5.35 in "Aperfix" and from 69.21±17.45 to 90.64±9.47 in the "Rigifix" group. There were 6 failures in "Endobutton" 4 in "Rigidfix" and one in "Aperfix" group. The anterior displacement tibia was 3.96±1.58 millimeters in "Endobutton" 4.28±1.48 in "Rigidfix" and 4.03±1.79 millimeters in "Aperfix" group. There was no significant difference in the operating time in the 3 groups. Regarding the instant stability of the graft the "Aperfix" method seemed stranger. Further investigations with larger number of cases and longer duration of follow up are recommended.