Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Tendon source, bone tract localization, tendon and bone healing and postoperative rehabilitation have achieved agreement. However, it remains controversial in tendon fixation pattern. 
OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate clinical results of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by use of hamstring autograft with femoral fixation via Rigidfix system and tibial fixation via Intrafix system.
METHODS: A total of 30 patients that had been treated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction by use of hamstring autograft with femoral fixation via Rigidfix system and tibial fixation via Intrafix system in the Second Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2008 to August 2009, including 9 females and 21 females, aged 31 years (range 18-49 years). Preoperative examinations showed positive results of 30 cases in anterior drawer test, 28 positive for Lacheman test, 23 positive for pivot shift test. The Lysholm knee joint scores were (59.2±5.2). The treatment effect was observed during follow-up following rehabilitative treatment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mean follow-up period was 13 months (range, 6 to 18 months). No patient had serious complication, and all patients could go back to work. All Pivot shift tests were negative, 1 patient in Lacheman test was Ⅰ and 1 was Ⅱ. The mean Lysholm score was 93.1± 4.3 postoperatively, significantly increased compared with preoperative scores (P < 0.05). On the basis of the final International Knee Documentation Committee grade, 25 knees were normal, and 5 were nearly normal. Rigidfix femoral fixaion device and Intrafix tibial fixaion device in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by use of hamstring autograft are effective, useful, and reproducible.