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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Athymic Rat Model for Evaluation of Engineered Anterior Cruciate Ligament Grafts
Published on: March 26, 2015
All-inside anterior cruciate ligament graft-link technique: second-generation, no-incision anterior cruciate ligament
James H Lubowitz1, Christopher S Ahmad, Christopher H Amhad
1Taos Orthopaedic Institute Research Foundation, Taos, New Mexico 87571, USA. jlubowitz@kitcarson.net
Abstract:
We describe an anatomic, single-bundle, all-inside anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft-link technique using second-generation Flipcutter guide pins (Arthrex, Naples, FL), which become retrograde drills, and second-generation cortical suspensory fixation devices with adjustable graft loop length: femoral TightRope (Arthrex) and tibial ACL TightRope-Reverse Tension (Arthrex). The technique is minimally invasive using only four 4-mm stab incisions. Graft choice is no-incision allograft or gracilis-sparing, posteriorly harvested semitendinosus material. The graft is sutured 4 times through each strand in a loop and linked, like a chain, to femoral and tibial adjustable TightRope graft loops. With this method, graft tension can be increased even after graft fixation. The technique may be modified for double-bundle ACL reconstruction.