Comparison of short term clinical outcomes between transtibial and transportal TransFix® femoral fixation in hamstring ACL reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results of transtibial and transportal TransFix® methods in ACL reconstruction.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-eight patients were randomized into either transtibial TransFix® (n = 88) or transportal TransFix® (n = 80) femoral fixation groups for hamstring ACL reconstruction. Patients were clinically evaluated through history and physical examination as well as the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores and a rolimeter over an 18-month time frame.

RESULTS

According to the IKDC score, there were more normal knees in the transportal group than the transtibial group (37 vs. 25). Mean Lysholm score was 78.32 ± 10.7 in the transtibial group and 81.41 ± 8.2 in the transportal group (p = 0.037). Mean rolimeter value was 2.2 ± 1.13 mm in the transtibial group and 1.73 ± 0.85 mm in the transportal group (p = 0.002). At the final follow-up, 20 patients in the transtibial group and 10 in the transportal group had a Lachman test grade of 2 or 3. More intraoperative complications in terms of graft passage difficulties and posterior wall blow-up were seen in the transportal group.

CONCLUSION

Transportal TransFix® technique appears to produce better clinical results than the traditional transtibial technique.