Arthroscopic confirmation of femoral button deployment prevents soft tissue interposition in ACL reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to determine whether direct arthroscopic control of femoral buttons can prevent improper deployment and soft tissue interposition in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the SANTI study group database was performed. All patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using suspensive femoral fixation between 01/01/2017 and 31/12/2019 were included. Patient assessment included demographics, sports metrics, reoperations performed and femoral button-related specific complications such as iliotibial band (ITB) irritation and/or septic arthritis. Proper deployment of the button and soft tissue interposition were assessed on postoperative radiographs.

A total of 307 patients underwent ACL reconstruction using adjustable femoral button fixation and were analyzed after a mean follow-up of 35.2 ± 11.0 months (14.3-50.2). The mean age was 39.5 ± 10.9-years old (range 13.3-70.6). Postoperative radiographs showed a correctly deployed femoral button without soft tissue interposition for all patients. No septic arthritis was reported. Nine patients (2.9%) suffered from lateral pain related to ITB irritation due to the button. Five of them had their symptoms resolve during rehabilitation. Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid infiltration was necessary for four patients after an average delay of 14.5 ± 4.8 months (11.7-21.7). Three patients were then symptom-free, but one required surgical removal of the implant 27.5 months after the surgery. Regarding unrelated femoral button complications, 15 patients (4.9%) underwent secondary arthroscopic procedures, including meniscectomy (1.6%), surgery for cyclops syndrome (2.6%) and revision ACLR (0.7%).

Arthroscopic confirmation of femoral button deployment prevents soft tissue interposition without specific complications.

Level IV.