Evaluation of the Capability of the Modified Transtibial Technique in Restoring a Near Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract Background: ACL reconstruction becomes a very common procedure today. There are many techniques to put the femoral and tibial tunnels in a near anatomic position that allow regaining knee function and prevent malpositioning of the tunnels which may results in graft failure. Our hypothesis suggests that modified transtibial technique (MTT) will give comparable measures to native ACL.
Purpose: The aim of this paper is to study the effect of modifications on the transtibial technique regarding the graft positions & angles and their impact on clinical outcome.
Patients and Methods: The study based on 30 patients, started from February 2013 to December 2014. All patients are males aged between 19-39 years (mean is 28.4 years with 5.0±SD) having torn ACL underwent arthroscopically-assisted ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendons and a modified transtibial technique. Results: Our “MTT” for single bundle ACL reconstruction showed comparable results to traditional TT. Ideally, our MTT graft was coronally inclined similar to that of the native ACL. It was also found to be more coronally oblique than the graft in traditional TT. These radiological results should be correlated with the clinical outcomes in order to note whether or not these improved radiological measurements would result in improved functional and clinical outcomes of the surgery.
Conclusion: This technique succeeded to put the graft in a more oblique position that presumably leads to improved clinical and functional outcome.