BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to report a modified transtibial technique to approach the center of anatomical femoral footprint in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to investigate the accurate femoral tunnel position with 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and radiography after reconstruction. METHODS: From December 2010 to October 2011, we evaluated 98 patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction using a modified transtibial technique to approach the center of anatomical femoral footprint in single bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft. Their femoral tunnel positions were investigated with 3D-CT and radiography postoperatively. Femoral tunnel angle was measured on the postoperative anteroposterior (AP) radiograph and the center of the femoral tunnel aperture on the lateral femoral condyle was assessed with 3D-CT according to the quadrant method by two orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: According to the quadrant method with 3D-CT, the femoral tunnel was measured at a mean of 32.94% +/- 5.16% from the proximal condylar surface (parallel to the Blumensaat line) and 41.89% +/- 5.58% from the notch roof (perpendicular to the Blumensaat line) with good interobserver (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC], 0.766 and 0.793, respectively) and intraobserver reliability (ICC, 0.875 and 0.893, respectively). According to the radiographic measurement on the AP view, the femoral tunnel angles averaged 50.43degrees +/- 7.04degrees (ICC, 0.783 and 0.911, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our modified transtibial technique is anticipated to provide more anatomical placement of the femoral tunnel during ACL reconstruction than the former traditional transtibial techniques.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/*methods ; Female ; Femur/*radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional/*methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted/*methods ; Tibia/radiography/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

PURPOSE: We wanted to investigate the radiographic and clinical results of internal fixation with cannulated screws in elderly patients with femoral neck fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the results of 47 cases of elderly patients with femoral neck fractures that were treated by osteosynthesis from May 2000 and March 2009 and these patients could be followed up for more than one year. There were 11 males and 36 females with a median age of 72 years (65~85 years). They were classified by the Garden stage. The number of stage I and II fractures was 34 and 16, respectively. The postoperative follow up period was 24 months (12~84 months). The union time, horizontal shortening and complications were investigated. Walking ability was evaluated by Koval's scoring system and the quality of life was measured by the Korean EQ-5D. RESULTS: The average union time was 4.4 months. The complications were one case of nonunion, 6 cases of avascular necrosis and one case of subtrochanteric fracture. The average of the horizontal shortening was 6.815 mm (0~20 mm) in the fracture site. The walking ability was on average 1 step down and it was possible to walk independently using a walker for 69% of the patients. The Korean EQ-5D quality of life was reduced from 0.856 to 0.561 (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: In elderly patients with femur neck fracture, the decreased abductor moment arm may reduce the quality of life and walking ability after cannulated screw fixation.
Aged ; Arm ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Quality of Life ; Walkers ; Walking