Arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a flexible guide pin with a rigid reamer

Successful anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction depends heavily on accurate placement of the graft within the anatomical insertion of the native anterior cruciate ligament. Inaccurate placement can lead to graft failure and recurrent instability. Flexible guide pins and reamers have been developed to overcome some of the limitations of using transtibial and anteromedial portals to drill femoral tunnels. Early in our experience with flexible instruments, reamer breakage caused complications. We therefore developed a technique that uses a flexible guide pin with a rigid reamer to place the femoral tunnel in an anatomical position. This technique allows placement of longer anatomical tunnels through an anteromedial portal, reduces time spent with the knee in hyperflexion, provides better viewing, poses less risk of damage to the articular cartilage and neurovascular structures, and at a lower cost with less risk of reamer breakage.