Outcome of arthroscopic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: anteromedial portal technique versus transtibial drilling technique

Purpose Controversies exist about the femoral tunnel preparation technique in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgeries. The aim of this study was to evaluate mid-term outcomes of transtibial (TT) technique in comparison with anteromedial portal (AMP) one. Methods Demographic data, height, weight, period of time from injury to surgery, and follow-up duration of patients underwent ACL reconstruction using single-bundle hamstring graft by the senior author between 2007 and 2011 were evaluated, retrospectively. Mid-quadriceps circumference difference, passive range of motion of the joint, anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot shift test were assessed for each case. Function of the knee joint was calculated using International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, and Tegner scores. Results Of 50 cases in the AMP group (age 30.6 ± 6.5), 45 were male and of the 44 patients in the TT group (age 30.0 ± 6.5), forty were male. Mean follow-up times in the AMP and TT group were 18.2 months (range 12–84 months) and 25.7 months (range 16–48 months), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found in mid-quadriceps circumference difference ( P = 0.861). Also, functional knee scores ( P values of IKDC = 0.329, Lysholm score = 0.08, Tegner = 0.504) and stability tests ( P values of anterior drawer test = 0.07, Lachman test = 0.486, pivot shift test = 0.348) did not differ statistically between groups. Conclusion There is no superiority of AMP technique on TT technique in ACL reconstructive surgeries. It could be suggested that performing a well-done technique, either TT or AMP, may be more important than only choosing a technique.