INTRODUCTION:
The rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is often due to sports activities and its reconstruction methods have undergone constant changes due to improvements in the surgical techniques.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the radiological placement of the tibial and femoral tunnels using the transtibial technique assisted by the femoral pre-drilling.
METHOD:
Radiological analysis (AP and lateral), at 4 weeks postoperatively in 98 patients, totaling 100 cases of ACL reconstruction. Three examiners evaluated the placement of the tibial and femoral tunnels. Methods for assessing the positioning of the tunnels were: Scanlan, Staubli and Rauschning and Bernard.
RESULTS:
The α angle (AP) was 64.13° (±4.29°) and the β angle (lateral) was 57.28° (±4.41°). The mean tibial positioning was 41.99% (±5.14%). The ACL graft was inserted into the lateral condyle of the femur and the average percentage of radiographic positioning in the green quadrant was 62%, the yellow quadrant, 37% and 1% in the red quadrant.
CONCLUSIONS:
The transtibial technique for ACL reconstruction, assisted by the femoral pre-drilling provides the anatomical position of the graft in the majority of the cases, as radiological evidence.
anterior cruciate ligament; tibia; knee; reconstruction
