RESUMO
PURPOSE: Proper femoral tunnel position is important for anatomical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the positions of femoral and tibial tunnels created using an accessory anteromedial portal technique in single bundle ACL reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The femoral tunnel was targeted at the mid-portion of the ACL bundles. We evaluated postoperative computed tomography scans of 32 patients treated by ACL reconstruction using a free-hand low accessory anteromedial portal technique. On the tibial side, the tunnel position was evaluated using Tsukada's method. On the femoral side, the position was evaluated using 1) the quadrant method, 2) Mochizuki's method, 3) Mochizuki's method, and 4) Takahashi's method. Tunnel obliquity was also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean tibial tunnel position was located at 44.6%±2.5% anterior from the anterior margin and 48.0%±3.0% in medial from the medial margin. The mean femoral tunnel position was located at the center between the anteromedial and posterolateral bundles: Quadrant method, 26.7%±2.7%/30.0%±2.9%; Watanabe's method, 37.7%±2.5%/26.6%±2.2%; Mochizuki's method, 38.7%±2.7%; Takahashi's method, 21.8%±2.2%. The mean femoral tunnel obliquity was 57.7°±6.2° in the sagittal plane and 49.9°±5.6° in the coronal plane. CONCLUSIONS: In anatomic single bundle ACL reconstruction, the low anteromedial portal technique can restore accurate position of the native footprint. Accurate femoral tunnel position facilitates recovery of stability and decreases graft failure rate.
RESUMO
Cases of over 5-level spinous process fractures are extremely rare. Thoracolumbar region of spine is superimposed on ribs; and as such additional studies such as computerized tomography are needed to diagnose fractures in this region. We report a case of 11 contiguous level thoracolumbar spinous process fractures, which has been treated conservatively.
