Prior anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction complicating intramedullary nailing of a tibia fracture.

Abstract

As the number of patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions continues to grow, a subpopulation of patients with displaced tibia-fibula fractures will emerge who have had prior anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Previous cruciate ligament surgery can complicate the operative treatment of tibia-fibula fractures by intramedullary nailing. Technical complications arise because the tibial tunnel-graft-screw is in the path of insertion of the intramedullary implant. We present a case in which we traced the path of the patellar tendon autograft, adjusted our entry point for the tibial intramedullary canal, and removed the interference screw to facilitate the fracture surgery. This technical note provides an approach to planning intramedullary nailing of the tibia in patients with prior anterior cruciate ligament surgery.