ARTHROSCOPIC FIXATION OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TIBIAL AVULSION FRACTURES USING FIBRE WIRE WITH OR WITHOUT ENDOBUTTON

Abstract

Satyajeet Jagtap1, Sanjay Kumar Barik2, AvinashVikram Turankar3

BACKGROUND Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) avulsion fracture is commonly associated with knee injuries and its management is controversial ranging from conservative treatment to various modalities in arthroscopic fixation. The aim of our study is to assess the clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic fixation using fibre wire with or without Endobutton in the management of ACL avulsion fractures using a simpler technique.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen patients (10 males and 5 females) who underwent arthroscopic fixation with standard anteromedial and anterolateral ports using fibre wire with or without Endobutton (9 cases only fibre wire was used, 6 cases Endobutton was used in addition) for displaced ACL avulsion fractures (Meyers and McKeever’s classification grade 2, grade 3 and grade 4) were analysed. The average age was 26.1 years with a mean follow up of 1 year. All patients were assessed clinically by calculating their Lysholm scores, Lachman test and the radiological union was assessed in the follow up radiographs. Study Design- Retrospective observational case series.
RESULTS The mean Lysholm score was 94.93 ± 2.81 (mean ± SD). In 14 patients, Lachman test was negative at the end of final follow up while 1 patient had grade I laxity compared to normal knee. At final followup, all the patients were able to return to their preinjury activity level except one who had an extension lag, underwent arthrolysis subsequently and is improving.
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic fixation using this technique of using fibre wire with or without Endobutton is a safe and reliable technique for producing clinicoradiological outcome in displaced ACL avulsion fractures.

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