Bone graft fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction evaluatedby radiostereometric analysis

For most anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction techniques, the tensile strength of the ligament substitutes and the surgical methods of fixation h ave been examined. In the present study seven consecutive patients with a c hronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency, who were reconstructed with a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft, were followed. The migration of the bone blocks was examined with radio-stereometric analysis immediately postoperat ively and after 3 and 12 months. The median migration of the bone blocks in the femur was 0.4 mm and in the tibia 0.4 mn. Clinical examination was und ertaken preoperatively and one year postoperatively. We conclude that the u se of interference screws seems to be a reliable method for fixation in ant erior cruciate reconstruction and that healing of the bone blocks occurs du ring the first three postoperative months.