Anatomical study of the positioning of guide wires for the reconstruction of the two bands of the anterior cruciate ligament using transtibial technique

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine whether it is possible and the difficulty of anatomical placement of guide wires for reconstruction of the two bands of the anterior cruciate ligament using transtibial technique and to measure the angle and positioning of the anatomic tibial guide wires for this technique. METHODS: Ten cadaver knees were dissected and a guide wire was positioned in the center of origin and insertion of each band. Were collected measurements of the distance from: 1) the entry point of the guide wire on tibial tuberosity; 2) the medial end of the tibia; 3) the tibial articular surface. Were also measured the medial and caudal angles of the guide wires. RESULTS: For the anteromedial band the medial angle was 19±5º and the caudal was 44±4º.The distances were 20±2 mm from anterior tuberosity, 26±5 mm from the tibial plateau and 25±5 mm from the medial end of the tibia. For the posterolateral band the medial angle was 26±5º and the caudal one was 36±8°. The distances were 31±6 mm for the anterior tuberosity, 24±4 mm for the tibial plateau and 17±7 mm from the end of the tibia. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to position the guide wires of the two bands to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament using transtibial technique. The parameters for the proper positioning of the guide wire from anteromedial band is caudal angle of 44º with entry point 20 mm from anterior tuberosity; for the posterolateral band the caudal angle is 36º; from the tibial tuberosity the distance is 31 mm. This technique is difficult to perform leaving its questionable reproducibility.