In vitro performance of a biodegradable zinc alloy adjustable-loop cortical suspension fixation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injuries of the knee are one of the most common and serious athletic injuries.The widely used cortical suspension fixation buttons for ligament reconstruction are permanent implants,particularly those made from conventional steel or titanium alloys.In this study,a biodegradable Zn-0.45Mn-0.2Mg(ZMM42)alloy with the yield strength of 300.4 MPa and tensile strength of 329.8 MPa was prepared through hot extrusion.The use of zinc alloys in the preparation of cortical suspension fixation buttons was proposed for the first time.After 35 d of immersion in simulated body fluids,the ZMM42 alloy fixation buttons were degraded at a rate of 44μm/a,and the fixation strength was retained(379.55 N)in the traction loops.Simultaneously,the ZMM42 alloy fixation buttons exhibited an increase in MC3T3-E1 cell viability and high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.These results reveal the potential of biodegradable zinc alloys for use as ligament reconstruction materials and for developing diverse zinc alloy cortical suspension fixation devices.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction:Effect of graft tunnel position on early to mid-term clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND Patient reported outcome measures(PROMs)can be used to assess knee function following anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction.Intra-operatively,femoral and tibial tunnels are created to accommodate the new ACL graft.It is postulated that there is an optimum position and orientation of these tunnels and that outcomes from this procedure are affected by their position.AIM To evaluate the influence of graft tunnel position on early to mid-term clinical outcomes following ACL reconstruction.METHODS Six PROMs were collected following ACL reconstruction which included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score(KOOS),International Knee Documentation Committee,Lysholm,Tegner,EuroQol-5 Dimension-5 level,and Short Form 12-item Health Survey.A total of 8 radiological parameters were measured from post-operative X-rays relating to graft tunnel positions.This data was analysed to assess for any correlations between graft tunnel position and postoperative PROMs.RESULTS A total of 87 patients were included in the study with a mean post-operative follow-up of 2.3 years(range 1 to 7 years).Posterior position of tibial tunnel was associated with improved KOOS quality of life(rho=0.43,P=0.002)and EQ-5D VAS(rho=0.36,P=0.010).Anterior position of EndoButton femoral tunnel was associated with an improved EQ-5D index(rho=-0.38,P=0.028).There were no other significant correlations between any of the other radiological parameters and PROM scores.CONCLUSION Overall,graft tunnel position had very little correlation with clinical outcomes following ACL reconstruction.A few(posterior)tibial tunnel and(anterior)EndoButton femoral tunnel measurements were associated with better PROMs.

Recurrent cyclops lesion after primary resection of fibroreactive nodule following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

In this case report featured in World Journal of Orthopedics,Kelmer et al describe a rare finding of a 28-year-old female patient who presented with a recurrent fibroreactive nodule 7 months following the resection of a primary cyclops lesion,suggesting recurrent cyclops syndrome.The patient had undergone an initial anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for a non-contact right knee injury and reported successful recovery.Two years later,the patient sustained a repeat right knee injury followed by a positive McMurray test and acute pain with terminal extension.Arthroscopic synovectomy confirmed magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)finding of a cyclops lesion,which was surgically removed.Seven months postoperatively,the patient reported stiffness and difficulty with terminal extension.Repeat MRI indicated a recurrent cyclops lesion,which was surgically resected.Following resection of the second lesion,the patient underwent physical therapy and achieved full range of motion,maintaining complete recovery 19 months postoperatively.Recurrent cyclops lesions have rarely been reported in the literature,and this article is novel in its report of recurrent cyclops syndrome following a bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft.The presentation of this unusual finding exposes a need for further investigation of cyclops lesion pathology,which will aid its prevention and treatment.

Recent research progress from biological perspective on the mechanism of formation of osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury

The anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)mainly plays a role in stabilizing the knee joint by limiting the forward translation of tibial force and rotational force at the tibial joint,and if this ligament is damaged,it will cause joint pain,limited mobility,knee instability,etc.According to related studies,the incidence of traumatic osteoarthritis(PTOA)after ACL injury is as high as 87%,although many studies have shown that patients with ACL injury are susceptible to PTOA,but the exact mechanism is currently unknown.This may be related to biological,structural,and mechanical factors caused by the ligament injury.Previous studies have shown that elevated inflammatory mediators in the joint cavity following ACL injury can lead to chondrocytes necrosis and degradation of the cartilage matrix.These potential biochemical mediators contribute to PTOA formation,and early intervention can reduce future episodes of PTOA.In recent years,many scholars have devoted themselves to studying the potential important factors and signaling pathways involved in the formation of osteoarthritis after ACL injury,and exploring its molecular mechanism,which has led to great progress in this field.This paper mainly studies and discusses the mechanism of osteoarthritis formation after ACL injury from the biological perspective.

The Prevalence Type of the Meniscus Tear in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury, in Abu Arish General Hospital, Jazan, KSA

Background: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the main structure that prevents the forward movement of the tibia about the femur Meniscus tear which is a common finding in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of types of meniscus tears in patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among inpatients. Clinical evaluation included side-to-side difference in anterior tibial translation (ATT) as measured by a KT-1000 arthrometer (MEDmetric Corp) and a grade of pivot-shift test at final follow-up in all patients. Subsequent meniscal tear was defined by symptoms of joint line pain and/or locking or joint effusion requiring surgical treatment. Results: Most of patients were males (92.6%). The patients were categorized into 5 groups according to age with a mean of age 32.8 ± 10.6. The most common causes of ACL injury were falling down (43.2%), trauma (38.1%) or knee torsion (18.8%). Medial meniscal tear was found in 92 knees (55.7%), while lateral meniscal tear was found in 19 knees (10.8%) and the most common type was the longitudinal tear that was found in 31 knees (17.6%). Similarly, 66.7% of the meniscal flap tears and half of the meniscal bucket-handle tears were significantly associated with loose body (P Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that meniscus tears are more common in individuals with chronic ACL rupture. The main factors contributing to ACL injury were classified as falls, trauma, and knee torsion. Gender was identified as a critical determinant in the etiology of ACL injury. The occurrence of a ramp lesion was associated longitudinal meniscal tears, whereas chodoral injury was associated with the majority of meniscal flap tears and meniscal bucket-handle tears.

Comparative study of the clinical efficacy of all-inside and traditional techniques in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

BACKGROUND Many studies have focused on the femoral tunnel technique and fixation method,but few studies have involved the tibial tunnel technique and fixation method.The all-inside technique is one of the new techniques that has been described in recent years.All-inside anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction is based on a tibial socket instead of a full tunnel.This method has many potential advantages.AIM To compare clinical outcomes of knee ACL autograft reconstruction using allinside quadrupled semitendinosus(AIST)and traditional hamstring tendon(TBT)techniques.METHODS From January 2017 to October 2019,the clinical data of 80 patients with ACL reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed,including 67 males and 13 females.The patients had an average age of 24.3±3.1 years(age range:18-33 years).The AIST technique was used in 42 patients and the TBT technique was used in 38 patients.The time between operation and injury,operative duration,postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS)score and knee functional recovery were recorded and compared between the two groups.The International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)and Lysholm scoring system were used to comprehensively evaluate clinical efficacy.RESULTS Eighty patients were followed for 24-36 mo,with an average follow-up duration of 27.5±1.8 mo.There were no significant differences in the time between surgery and injury,operative duration,IKDC and Lysholm scores of the affected knee at the last follow-up evaluation between the two groups.There were significant differences in VAS scores 1 d,3 d,7 d,2 wk and 1 mo after surgery(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in VAS score at 3 mo,6 mo and 1 year after operation.CONCLUSION The efficacy of the AIST ACL reconstruction technique was comparable to the TBT technique,but the postoperative pain was less with the AIST technique.Thus,the AIST technique is an ideal treatment choice for ACL reconstruction.

Lateral femoral tunnel preparation and graft fixation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction–A discussion

This article provides a discussion and commentary around the recent advances in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR),with a focus on the aspects of lateral femoral tunnel preparation and graft fixation techniques.The paper explores and comments on a recently published review by Dai et al,titled"Research progress on preparation of lateral femoral tunnel and graft fixation in ACLR",while providing insight into its relevance within the field of ACLR,and recommendations for future research.

Osteotomy combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for anterior cruciate ligament injury and biplanar deformity

BACKGROUND It has been confirmed that the increased posterior tibial slope over 12 degrees is a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament injury,and varus deformity can aggravate the progression of medial osteoarthritis.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of modified high tibial osteotomy(HTO)and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR)in the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injuries with varus deformities and increased posterior tibial slope(PTS)based on clinical and imaging data.METHODS The patient data in this retrospective study were collected from 2019 to 2021.A total of 6 patients were diagnosed with ACL injury combined with varus deformities and increased PTS.All patients underwent modified open wedge HTO and ACLR.The degree of correction of varus deformity and the PTS was evaluated by radiography and magnetic resonance imaging.RESULTS All 6 patients(6 knee joints)were followed up for an average of 20.8±3.7 months.The average age at surgery was 29.5±3.8 years.At the last follow-up,all patients resumed competitive sports.The International Knee Documentation Committee score increased from 50.3±3.1 to 87.0±2.8,the Lysholm score increased from 43.8±4.9 to 86±3.1,and the Tegner activity level increased from 2.2±0.7 to 7.0±0.6.The average movement distance of the tibia anterior translation was 4.8±1.1 mm,medial proximal tibial angle(MPTA)was 88.9±1.3°at the last follow-up,and the PTS was 8.4±1.4°,both of which were significantly higher than those before surgery(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Modified open wedge HTO combined with ACLR can effectively treat patients with ACL ruptures with an associated increased PTS and varus deformity.The short-term effect is significant,but the long-term effect requires further follow-up.

Cyclops syndrome following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Can relapse occur after surgery?

Symptomatic cyclops lesions are complications that can be seen at rates of up to approximately 10%after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.However,recurrent cyclops lesions have rarely been documented.There are case rare series in the literature regarding the treatment of recurrent cyclops lesion.Future large studies are needed to investigate factors contributing to the development of cyclops lesions and syndrome and treatment options.

Research progress on preparation of lateral femoral tunnel and graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injury is one of the most common types of sports injuries.People’s need to participate in sports and desire for a high quality of life promotes the continuous development of ACL reconstruction technology.Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction has been recognized as an effective method for the treatment of ACL injuries.This review analyses and summarizes the advantages and limitations of each surgical procedure for arthroscopic ACL reconstruction reported in the relevant literature so as to promote the future development of more relevant techniques.

Demographic characteristics of patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at a tertiary care hospital in India

BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)tears are common sports-related injuries.Their incidence is not the same either for all the sports or for the same sport across various nations.This information is maintained by many sports leagues in their registries.However,very few nationwide registries exist for such injuries.This study is carried out to know the demographic characteristics of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction at our hospital in India.AIM To know the demographic characteristics of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction at a tertiary care hospital in India.METHODS All the patients who underwent ACL reconstruction from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively studied.Patients with multi-ligament injuries or a history of previous knee surgery were excluded.The patients’history was obtained from the hospital records,they were interviewed telephonically,and online questionnaires were given.Their demographic data was analyzed and compared to the existing literature.RESULTS A total of 124 patients were operated on for ACL reconstruction during this period.The mean age of the patients was 27.97 years.One hundred and thirteen patients(91.1%)were male and 11(8.9%)were female.The majority of the patients(47.6%)sustained this injury by road traffic accidents(RTA)followed by sportsrelated injuries(39.5%).The commonest presenting complaint was giving way of the knee in 118 patients(95.2%).The mean duration from the injury to the first hospital visit among the patients was 290.1 d.The mean duration from the injury to surgery was 421.8 d.CONCLUSION ACL patients’demography is different in developing nations as compared to the developed world.RTA are the leading cause of ACL injuries and are followed by recreational sports as a cause.There is delayed access to healthcare leading to delayed diagnosis as well as even greater time to surgery.This,in turn,leads to poorer prognosis and longer rehabilitation.National registries for developing nations are the need of the hour due to the different demographics of ACL injuries in developing countries.

Assessment of functional prognosis of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in athletes based on a body shape index

BACKGROUND A healthy body shape is essential to maintain athletes’sports level.At present,little is known about the effect of athletes’body shape on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR).Moreover,the relationship between body shape and variables such as knee joint function after operation and return to the field has not been well studied.AIM To verify the relationship between a body shape index(ABSI)and the functional prognosis of the knee after ACLR in athletes with ACL injuries.METHODS We reviewed 76 athletes with unilateral ACL ruptures who underwent ACLR surgery in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University between 2017 and 2020,with a follow-up period of more than 24 mo.First,all populations were divided into a High-ABSI group(ABSI>0.835,n=38)and a Low-ABSI group(ABSI<0.835,n=38)based on the arithmetic median(0.835)of ABSI values.The primary exposure factor was ABSI,and the outcome indicators were knee function scores as well as postoperative complications.The correlation between ABSI and postoperative knee function scores and postoperative complications after ACLR were analyzed using multifactorial logistic regression.RESULTS The preoperative knee function scores of the two groups were similar.The surgery and postoperative rehabilitation exercises,range of motion(ROM)compliance rate,Lysholm score,and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score of the two groups gradually increased,whereas the quadriceps atrophy index gradually decreased.The knee function scores were higher in the Low-ABSI group than in the High-ABSI group at the 24-mo postoperative follow-up(P<0.05).In multifactorial logistic regression,ABSI was a risk factor of low knee joint function score after surgery,specifically low ROM scores(odds ratio[OR]=1.31,95%confidence interval[CI][1.10-1.44];P<0.001),low quadriceps atrophy index(OR=1.11,95%CI[0.97-1.29];P<0.05),low Lysholm scores(OR=2.34,95%CI[1.78-2.94];P<0.001),low symptoms(OR=1.14,95%CI[1.02-1.34];P<0.05),low activity of daily living(OR=1.34,95%CI[1.18-1.65];P<0.05),low sports(OR=2.47,95%CI[1.78-2.84];P<0.001),and low quality of life(OR=3.34,95%CI[2.88-3.94];P<0.001).ABSI was also a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb(OR=2.14,95%CI[1.88-2.36],P<0.05]and ACL recurrent rupture(OR=1.24,95%CI[0.98-1.44],P<0.05)after ACLR.CONCLUSION ABSI is a risk factor for the poor prognosis of knee function in ACL athletes after ACLR,and the risk of poor knee function after ACLR,deep vein thrombosis of lower limb,and ACL recurrent rupture gradually increases with the rise of ABSI.

Biomechanics of the anterior cruciate ligament:Physiology,rupture and reconstruction techniques

The influences and mechanisms of the physiology,rupture and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)on kinematics and clinical outcomes have been investigated in many biomechanical and clinical studies over the last several decades.The knee is a complex joint with shifting contact points,pressures and axes that are affected when a ligament is injured.The ACL,as one of the intra-articular ligaments,has a strong influence on the resulting kinematics.Often,other meniscal or ligamentous injuries accompany ACL ruptures and further deteriorate the resulting kinematics and clinical outcomes.Knowing the surgical options,anatomic relations and current evidence to restore ACL function and considering the influence of concomitant injuries on resulting kinematics to restore full function can together help to achieve an optimal outcome.

Technical note: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the presence of an intramedullary femoral nail using anteromedial drilling

AIM To describe an approach to anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction using autologous hamstring by drilling via the anteromedial portal in the presence of an intramedullary(IM) femoral nail.METHODS Once preoperative imagining has characterized the proposed location of the femoral tunnel preparations are made to remove all of the hardware(locking bolts and IM nail). A diagnostic arthroscopy is performed in the usual fashion addressing all intra-articular pathology. The ACL remnant and lateral wall soft tissues are removed from the intercondylar, to provide adequate visualization of the ACL footprint. Femoral tunnel placement is performed using a transportal ACL guide with desired offset and the knee flexed to 2.09 rad. The Beath pin is placed through the guide starting at the ACL's anatomic footprint using arthroscopic visualization and/or fluoroscopic guidance. If resistance is met while placing the Beath pin, the arthroscopy should be discontinued and the obstructing hardware should be removed under fluoroscopic guidance. When the Beath pin is successfully placed through the lateral femur, it is overdrilled with a 4.5 mm Endobutton drill. If the Endobutton drill is obstructed, the obstructing hardware should be removed under fluoroscopic guidance. In this case, the obstruction is more likely during Endobutton drilling due to its larger diameter and increased rigidity compared to the Beath pin. The femoral tunnel is then drilled using a best approximation of the graft's outer diameter. We recommend at least 7 mm diameter to minimize the risk of graft failure. Autologous hamstring grafts are generally between 6.8 and 8.6 mm in diameter. After reaming, the knee is flexed to 1.57 rad, the arthroscope placed through the anteromedial portal to confirm the femoral tunnel position, referencing the posterior wall and lateral cortex. For a quadrupled hamstring graft, the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons are then harvested in the standard fashion. The tendons are whip stitched, quadrupled and shaped to match the diameter of the prepared femoral tunnel. If the diameter of the patient's autologous hamstring graft is insufficient to fill the prepared femoral tunnel, the autograft may be supplemented with an allograft. The remainder of the reconstruction is performed according to surgeon preference. RESULTS The presence of retained hardware presents a challenge for surgeons treating patients with knee instability. In cruciate ligament reconstruction, distal femoral and proximal tibial implants hardware may confound tunnel placement, making removal of hardware necessary, unless techniques are adopted to allow for anatomic placement of the graft. CONCLUSION This report demonstrates how the femoral tunnel can be created using the anteromedial portal instead of a transtibial approach for reconstruction of the ACL.

Interspace between the Popliteal Artery and the Capsule of the Knee (IPACK) Block for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery: A Two Case Series

This case series describes the use of Interspace between the Popliteal Artery and the Capsule of the Knee (IPACK) block to provide motor-sparing analgesia for two consecutive patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) by the same surgeon. Case 1 demonstrates the use of a proximal IPACK block as a post-operative rescue block for a patient who still experienced severe pain despite having received a femoral nerve block and parenteral opioids. Case 2 describes the use of a modified IPACK block as part of a multimodal approach with opioid and motor sparing effects. In both cases, the IPACK block provided satisfactory pain relief in the immediate postoperative period without motor weakness, making it an effective analgesic method for day surgery. With the IPACK block shown to be an effective nerve block for ACLR, we explore other advantages, limitations and further research required to better define the role of this block.

Recurrent cyclops lesion after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone tendon bone allograft:A case report

BACKGROUND Cyclops lesions are a known complication of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)reconstruction,with symptomatic cyclops syndrome occurring in up to 11%of surgeries.Recurrent cyclops lesions have been rarely documented;this case study documents the successful treatment of a recurrent cyclops lesion.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old female presented following a non-contact injury to the right knee.Workup and clinical exam revealed an ACL tear,and arthroscopic reconstruction was performed.Two years later a cyclops lesion was discovered and removed via arthroscopic synovectomy.Seven months postoperatively,the patient presented with pain,stiffness,and difficulty achieving terminal extension.A smaller recurrent cyclops lesion was diagnosed,and a repeat synovectomy was performed.The patient recovered fully.CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge,this is the first documented case of recurrent cyclops lesion after bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft ACL reconstruction presenting as cyclops syndrome.

Patient reported outcome measures in anterior cruciate ligament rupture and reconstruction:The significance of outcome score prediction

BACKGROUND Numerous anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) clinical outcome measures exist.However,the result of one score does not equate to the findings of another even when evaluating the same patient group.AIM To investigate if statistically derived formulae can be used to predict the outcome of one knee scoring system when the result of another is known in patients with ACL rupture before and after reconstruction.METHODS Fifty patients with ACL rupture were evaluated using nine clinical outcome measures.These included Tegner Activity Score,Lysholm Knee Score,Cincinnati Knee Score,International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC) Objective Knee Score,Tapper and Hoover Meniscal Grading Score,IKDC Subjective Knee Score,Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale(KOS-ADLS),Short Form-12 Item Health Survey and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score.Thirtyfour patients underwent an ACL reconstruction and were reassessed post-operatively.RESULTS The mean total of each of the nine outcome scores appreciably differed from each other.Significant correlations and regressions were found between most of the outcome scores and were stronger post-operatively.The strongest correlation was found between Cincinnati and KOS-ADLS (r=0.91,P<0.001).The strongest regression formula was also found between Cincinnati and KOS-ADLS (R~2=0.84,P<0.001).CONCLUSION The formulae produced from this study can be used to predict the outcome of one knee score when the results of the other are known.These formulae could facilitate the conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in studies relating to ACL injuries by allowing the pooling of substantially more data.

Five Strand Hamstring Tendon Autograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Provides No Benefit over the Gold Standard Four Strand Repair for Anterior Stability of the Knee: A Prospective Cohort Study

The Four-Strand Hamstring Tendon Autograft has been long established as the gold standard for surgical reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Some studies have suggested wider grafts, such as a Five-Strand hamstring graft, may provide greater strength and a larger scaffold for incorporation of the graft into the bone tunnels, leading to greater postoperative anterior stability of the knee. 28 (n = 18 Four-Strand and n = 10 Five-Strand) patients with planned ACL reconstructive surgery by a single surgeon were recruited for this study. The KT-1000 Arthrometer (MED metric, CA, USA) was used to quantify AP translation in the subjects’ knees before (T0) and after surgery at 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) weeks. At 12 weeks there was significantly higher (p = 0.01) mean anterior laxity on Maximum Manual Test in the Five- Strand group (9.1 ± 1.7 mm) than the Four Strand Group (6.9 ± 2.3 mm). Further, there were significantly higher mean side-to-side differences (p = 0.01) on Maximum Manual Test in the Five-Strand cohort (5.1 ± 3.5 mm) compared to the Four-Strand cohort (1.9 ± 2.2 mm). A significantly larger positive mean change in anterior laxity (p = 0.02) from 6 - 12 weeks was evident in the Five-Strand group (1.4 ± 0.9) than the Four-Strand group (-0.3 ± 1.9 mm). No significant correlations were seen between graft widths and measures of anterior stability on KT-1000. This study illustrated that there was no benefit to using a Five-Strand Hamstring Tendon Autograft when compared to the gold standard Four-Strand Repair specifically with regards to anterior stability of the knee.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction best practice: A review of graft choice

There is much literature about differing grafts used in anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction. Much of this is of poor quality and of a low evidence base. We review and summarise the literature looking at the four main classes of grafts used in ACL reconstruction; bone-patella tendon-bone, hamstrings, allograft and synthetic grafts. Each graft has the evidence for its use reviewed and then compared, where possible, to the others. We conclude that although there is no clear "best" graft, there are clear differences between the differing graft choices. Surgeon's need to be aware of the evidence behind these differences, in order to have appropriate discussions with their patients, so as to come to an informed choice of graft type to best suit each individual patient and their requirements.

Review of evolution of tunnel position in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) rupture is one of the commonest knee sport injuries. The annual incidence of the ACL injury is between 100000-200000 in the United States. Worldwide around 400000 ACL reconstructions are performed in a year. The goal of ACL reconstruction is to restore the normal knee anatomy and kinesiology. The tibial and femoral tunnel placements are of primordial importance in achieving this outcome. Otherfactors that influence successful reconstruction are types of grafts, surgical techniques and rehabilitation programmes. A comprehensive understanding of ACL anatomy has led to the development of newer techniques supplemented by more robust biological and mechanical concepts. In this review we are mainly focussing on the evolution of tunnel placement in ACL reconstruction, focusing on three main categories, i.e., anatomical, biological and clinical outcomes. The importance of tunnel placement in the success of ACL reconstruction is well researched. Definite clinical and functional data is lacking to establish the superiority of the single or double bundle reconstruction technique. While there is a trend towards the use of anteromedial portals for femoral tunnel placement, their clinical superiority over trans-tibial tunnels is yet to be established.