Drilling through anteromedial portal with a femoral aiming device ensures a sufficient length and a proper graft position, and prevents posterior wall breakage during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the femoral tunnel (FT) which was drilled through the AM portal by using a femoral aimer device and AP stability of the knee.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients, with the mean age 29.6 (range: 20-43) years, were evaluated after ACL reconstruction. The mean follow-up time was 31.9 (range: 16-57) months. The FT was drilled using a femoral aimer with different offset according to the graft size measured, through the AM portal. The semitendinous and gracilis tendon autograft was used for reconstruction. The angles of FT and the exit point on the lateral condyle were measured on AP views of the knee. AP stability of the knee was measured with the KT-2000.

RESULTS

The mean angle of FT was 46.5° (± 8.4°), on the AP view. The mean distance between the exit point of FT and the most distal end of the femoral condyles was 46.7 (± 4.9) mm. The mean FT length was 36.1 (± 3.1) mm. The mean difference of anterior translation compared to the intact knee was 1.9 (± 1.6) mm. Except the three patients, with "one positive" pivot shift test, in the remaining 35 knees stability was equal to the healthy knee.

CONCLUSIONS

Femoral drilling by using a femoral aimer device through AM portal provided long enough FT for safe graft fixation and appropriate coronal plan obliquity. The exit point was far proximal from the insertion site of the popliteus tendon and lateral collateral ligament. Furthermore, the AM portal technique significantly improved AP stability of the knee.