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J Knee Surg 2014; 27(05): 331-342
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1384216
Special Focus Section
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Tips for Successful Transtibial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Marc S. Haro
1   Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
,
Andy Riff
1   Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
,
Bernard R. Bach Jr.
1   Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

29 April 2014

07 May 2014

Publication Date:
25 June 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most common procedures performed in orthopedics. While results from ACL reconstruction have been highly successful in restoring knee stability and allowing patients to return to sports, a debate continues as to which technique is best for restoring native anatomy and biomechanics. Some have proposed that a transtibial (TT) technique is not able to restore an ACL graft to the native femoral footprint and have advocated independent drilling of the femoral tunnel. We propose that with careful technique it is possible to reliably and reproducibly place the femoral tunnel in the anatomic femoral footprint using a TT technique with excellent results. We describe this surgical technique in detail and review the literature regarding the debate over TT drilling of the femoral tunnel and describe the senior author's (B.R.B.) experience using this technique.

Keywords

transtibial - anterior cruciate ligament - anatomic - femoral tunnel
 

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