Knee Stability and Functional Outcome Following Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction: Comparison between Two Different Femoral Tunnel Positions

Background and purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most commonly procedure which are done by orthopedic surgeon. The aim of this study was to compare knee stability and functional results in two different tunnel position groups. Materials and methods: In the current study, 472 patient s documents with ACL tear which were scheduled for reconstruction existed. By exclusion criteria, during the period January 2000 to July 2003, 159 total participants (147 men, 12women) were enrolled and were classified non-randomly in 2groups by the femoral tunnel position which all of them were operated arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction. Results: In our study 159 patients (147 male and 12 female) were participated. In the first group which femoral tunnel were placed at 11 o’clock position (right knee) and 1 o’clock (left knee), we found 28 cases with normal and 53 cases with varus and in the second group which femoral tunnel were placed at 10 o’clock position (right knee) and 2 o’clock position (left knee), we find 32 cases with normal and other 46 patients with varus mal alignment. Conclusion: We found no significant difference between the 10 and 11o’clock femoral tunnel placement position when compared by IKDC and Lysholm score. Other point that we should mention was that there was significant difference in anterior tibial translation between two groups at 25 degree flexion (P value 0.03). Finally, femoral tunnel placement change was not an accurate indicator of functional outcome and knee laxity in our study.