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Implant-free ACL reconstruction: a review
Yee Han Dave Lee1, Rainer Siebold, Hans H Paessler
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Changi General Hospital, 2, Simei Street 3, Singapore, 529889, Republic of Singapore, Dave_Lee@cgh.com.sg.
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
|January 1, 2014
Summary
Implant-free anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction offers comparable fixation strength and clinical outcomes to traditional methods. This technique avoids artificial implants, utilizing the patient
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction traditionally uses artificial implants for graft fixation.
- Implant-free ACL reconstruction emerged as an alternative, avoiding foreign materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the historical evolution of implant-free ACL reconstruction techniques.
- To review the existing biomechanical evidence supporting implant-free fixation.
- To summarize clinical outcomes of implant-free ACL reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical descriptions of implant-free ACL reconstruction.
- Analysis of biomechanical studies comparing implant-free and conventional fixation.
- Synthesis of outcome data from clinical studies on implant-free ACL reconstruction.
Main Results:
- Implant-free fixation was first described for bone patella tendon ACL reconstruction in 1987.
- The technique has been adapted for hamstring and quadriceps tendon grafts.
- Biomechanical studies indicate comparable fixation strength to conventional methods when technical details are followed.
- Clinical outcome studies report results similar to ACL reconstruction with implants.
Conclusions:
- Implant-free ACL reconstruction provides a viable alternative to conventional methods.
- This technique demonstrates comparable biomechanical stability and clinical efficacy.
- It offers a method for ACL graft fixation without the need for artificial implants.
