The Influence of Supplementary Tibial Fixation on Laxity Measurements After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendons in Female Patients

Background: Female patients undergoing arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a hamstring tendon graft developed increased postoperative laxity compared to male and female patients who had reconstruction using a patellar tendon graft. This difference may be due to graft slippage in less dense female tibial bone. Hypothesis: Reinforcement of tibial fixation of the hamstring tendon graft in women by supplementary methods may reduce laxity. Study Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Fifty-six female patients divided into 2 groups (standard tibial fixation with 7 × 25–mm metal interference screw versus metal interference screw with supplementary staple fixation) were followed for 2 years. Results: After 2 years, the mean side-to-side difference using KT-1000 arthrometer manual maximum measurements was 1.8 mm (standard group) and 1.1 mm (staple group) ( P = .05). The percentage of patients with a side-to-side difference of