Editorial Commentary: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Fixation Strength: Do Ultimate Load and Cyclic Deformation Really Matter?

Abstract

Surgeons, therapists, and industry are very focused on anterior cruciate ligament graft fixation strength, specifically ultimate load and cyclic deformation. Although many publications have focused on the importance of these values, no significant issues with early graft fixation failure or elongation have been recently been reported. Thus, instead of focusing on the absolute maximum values, it would be more helpful to define a minimum successful fixation strength, as well as determine how to test for physiologic cyclic elongation.