Comparison of bone-patellar tendon-bone interference screw fixation and hamstring transfemoral screw fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Abstract

While bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) interference screw anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a biomechanically sound construct, alternative techniques have been developed secondary to potential donor site morbidity. This study evaluates a system designed to address this problem that involves a transfemoral screw fixation device and stapling of hamstring tendons. Seven pairs of cadaveric knees underwent ACL reconstruction using either BPTB interference screw technique or semitendinosus gracilis (STG) transfemoral screw fixation and stapling. Tensile testing was performed. There was no significant difference between the two fixation types with regard to stiffness, maximum load to failure, elongation, energy to failure and yield load, displacement, and energy.