Comparison of bone-patellar tendon-bone interference screw fixation and hamstring transfemoral screw fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

While bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) interference screw anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a biomechanically sound construct, altern ative techniques have been developed secondary to potential donor site morb idity. This study evaluates a system designed to address this problem that involves a transfemoral screw fixation device and stapling of hamstring ten dons. Seven pairs of cadaveric knees underwent ACL reconstruction using eit her BPTB interference screw technique or semitendinosus gracilis (STC) tran sfemoral screw fixation and stapling. Tensile testing was performed. There was no significant difference between the two fixation types with regard to stiffness, maximum load to failure, elongation, energy to failure and yiel d load, displacement, and energy.