Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction With Dual Adjustable-Loop Suspensory Fixation: A Technique Guide

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) injuries often require surgical reconstruction.
• Traditional techniques may involve larger incisions and less precise graft tensioning.
• Advancements in fixation devices offer potential for improved surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel, minimally invasive surgical technique for sMCL reconstruction.
• To utilize dual suspensory fixation with adjustable-loop devices for graft securement.
• To highlight the advantages of this technique over existing methods.

Main Methods:

• A minimally invasive approach is used for femoral fixation at the sMCL origin.
• Adjustable-loop suspensory devices secure the graft on the femoral side.
• A separate incision allows for tibial tunnel preparation and fixation with adjustable-loop devices.
• The construct is tensioned in 30° flexion with slight varus after initial cyclic loading.

Main Results:

• The technique allows for fixation through small incisions, minimizing tissue disruption.
• Dual adjustable-loop suspensory fixation enables precise tensioning of the graft on both femoral and tibial sides.
• This method offers greater control over graft tension compared to interference screw techniques.

Conclusions:

• This minimally invasive technique provides effective dual suspensory fixation for sMCL reconstruction.
• The ability to independently tension both femoral and tibial fixation points is a significant advantage.
• This approach may lead to improved stability and outcomes in sMCL repair.