Arthroscopic Single-Tunnel Pullout Suture Fixation for Tibial Eminence Avulsion Fracture

Tibial Eminence Fracture and Pediatric ACL Avulsion Diagnosis and Treatment: A Case Report

Introduction

Tibial eminence fractures resulting from the avulsion of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insertion are a common knee injury in the pediatric population. This injury is traditionally corrected through internal fixation using a guide pin and a cannulated screw. Due to the reported consequences of cannulated screws impinging on the joint space, we explored an alternative procedure to address this injury without the use of cannulated screws. We believe this is the first report of an alternate and improved procedure for repairing a tibial eminence fracture caused by ACL avulsion using non-absorbable sutures to secure the bony fragment back onto the tibial eminence.

Case Report

We report the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a 15-year-old Caucasian male who suffered a tibial eminence fracture associated with an ACL avulsion following a tackle football injury. We utilized a new all-arthroscopic procedure that involved securing the bony fragment of the tibial eminence using sutures that were passed through the ACL and proximal tibial using interosseous bone tunnels.

Conclusion

This novel procedure successfully eliminates the need for intra-articular screws in the adolescent knee while treating tibial avulsion fractures - as supported by the patient's marked radiographical and symptomatic improvement at the 2, 6, and 12-week follow-up visits.

Arthroscopic fixation of chronic bicruciate tibial avulsion fractures: A case report

A cruciate ligament avulsion is a much less common form of injury than a cruciate ligament tear. Simultaneous tibial avulsion fractures of both cruciate ligaments occur even more rarely. Over the last decades, many studies have described arthroscopic fixation of acute cruciate tibial avulsion fractures, but arthroscopic treatment in a late presenting patient has not been reported in the literature. This case report presents a 32-year-old female with a chronic tibial avulsion fracture of both anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament. Simultaneous fixation of both fractures was performed arthroscopically at week four post-injury. At one year of follow-up, the patient had demonstrated full knee range of motion and stable knee with no complaints, and achieved excellent clinical outcomes. Radiographs showed union of both fractures, and the patient had resumed high-impact exercises.

Arthroscopic reduction of adult comminuted tibial eminence avulsion with single tunnel pull-through suture fixation: A case report of technical note

Introduction and importance

Case presentation

Clinical discussion

Conclusion

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Operative treatment is highly recommended for comminuted tibial eminence avulsion fractures.

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Arthroscopic-assisted reduction becomes the treatment of choice in these injuries.

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But the most optimal procedure of arthroscopic reduction and suture fixation technique still remains uncertain.

The most economical arthroscopic suture fixation for tibial intercondylar eminence avulsion fracture without any implant

Background

Avulsion fracture of the tibial intercondylar eminence is a rare injury, which mainly occurs in adolescents aged 8–14 years and in those with immature bones. The current commonly used surgery may result in severe surgical trauma, affecting knee joint function and accompanied by serious complications. In this study, we described an all-inside and all-epiphyseal arthroscopic suture fixation technique for a patient to treat tibial intercondylar eminence fracture.

Methods

ETHIBOND EXCEL-coated braided polyester sutures were used for fixation. Three ETHIBOND sutures were passed through the ACL at 2, 6 and 10 o’clock of the footprint of the ACL and made a cinch-knot loop separately. Under the guidance of ACL tibial locator, three corresponding tibial tunnels were drilled with K-wires at 2, 6 and 10 o’clock of the fracture bed, and the two ends of the suture were pulled out through the tunnel with double-folded steel wire heads. After reduction of the tibial eminence, three sutures were tightened and tied to the medial aspect of the tibial tubercle.

Results

After all the surgical treatments surgically performed by this method and following a standard postoperative protocol, our patient's ROM, stability, and functional structural scores all improved significantly.

Conclusion

This three-point suture technique provides a suitable reduction and stable fixation and is suitable for patients with all types of avulsion fractures of the tibial intercondylar eminence.

Arthroscopic Epiphyseal Plate-Sparing Fixation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Avulsion Fracture in Skeletally Immature Patients

The tibial avulsion fracture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in skeletally immature patients poses challenges to orthopaedic surgeons due to the necessity of protecting the epiphysial plate during surgical reduction and fixation of the bone fragment. Several epiphysial plate-sparing techniques have been reported. However, the epiphysial plate is still in danger because in most of these techniques the fixation device is approaching the epiphysial plate or passing through it. We would like to introduce a suture fixation technique in which there is no fixation device passing through the fracture interface as well as the epiphysial plate. The critical points of this technique are ligating the ACL, retrieving the fixation suture distally along the anterior surface of the proximal tibia, and tying the fixation suture at an adjustable loop that is set distal to the proximal tibial epiphysial plate. Our clinical experience indicates that this technique is safe and effective. We consider the introduction of this technique will provide more feasible options when surgical treatment is indicated in case of ACL tibial avulsion fracture in skeletally immature patients.

Arthroscopic Fixation of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture Using FiberWire Suture With Suture Disc

Controversy still exists regarding how to reduce and fix a displaced tibial avulsion fracture. Open reduction and internal fixation may lead to morbidity due to soft-tissue injury and arthrotomy. As a result, arthroscopic techniques are increasing in popularity. In the literature, sutures, K wires, and screws are suggested to be used as the fixation devices. Screws cannot be used in small or comminuted fractures, whereas K wires and sutures may not provide strong stability. Recently, with the advent of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene sutures like FiberWire, it has become possible to use it as the fixation device in even comminuted avulsion fractures with acceptable reduction stability. In this paper, we describe a simple arthroscopic technique using a FiberWire to manage the displaced tibial eminence avulsion fracture.

Arthroscopic Reduction and Internal Fixation of Tibial Eminence Fractures With Transosseous Suture Bridge Fixation

Arthroscopic reduction-internal fixation (ARIF) is an increasingly popular option for surgical management of displaced tibial eminence fractures. Although a variety of ARIF techniques have been described, anatomic reduction and stable fixation remain challenging. As a result, complications such as malunion, nonunion, anterior instability, arthrofibrosis, and hardware issues persist. In an effort to reduce complications and improve outcomes, modern suture-based ARIF techniques have been developed. However, the optimal technique and construct remain elusive. This article presents a technique for ARIF of tibial eminence fractures using a transosseous suture bridge construct with extracortical fixation. This technique uses a commercially available suture-passage device and meniscal root repair system for accurate tunnel placement, efficient suture management, and reliable fixation.

Suturing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Using a No. 16 Intravenous Catheter Needle in Avulsion Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Avulsion anterior cruciate ligament injuries are more common in pediatric patients. There are several methods of fixation available for these injuries (tibial intercondylar eminence fractures), such as the pullout suture technique, screw fixation, and suture anchor fixation. Currently, a pullout technique is widely used for fixation. We purpose a pullout technique method using a modified No. 16 intravenous catheter needle to suture the anterior cruciate ligament fiber instead of a suture hook or suture passer. We also use one anterior tibial tunnel for this arthroscopic pullout fixation technique to decrease the incidence of physeal injury in pediatric patients by using many tibial tunnels.

"Figure-of-Eight" Suture-Button Technique for Fixation of Displaced Anterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture

Objective

To assess the clinical results of the “figure‐of‐eight” suture‐button technique in the arthroscopic treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial avulsion fractures.

Methods

This was a retrospective study reviewing data from September 2013 to June 2019. A total of 27 patients (13 males and 14 females) who underwent arthroscopic “figure‐of‐eight” suture‐button fixation for displaced ACL avulsion fractures were analyzed. The mean age of the patients in the sample was 15.8 years (10–29 years), with a mean follow‐up of 24 months (6–48 months). According to Meyers–McKeever classification, 11 patients were classified as type III and 16 as type IV. All patients were evaluated following the guidelines of the radiological union, the Lysholm knee scoring scale, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC).

Results

Fractures were united within 3 months after surgery in all 27 cases. During the last follow‐up, all the anterior drawer and Lachman tests were negative, except in 1 patient whose anterior drawer test was 1° positive. The range of motion was improved from 72.22° ± 27.92° before surgery to 137.78° ± 7.38° at the last follow‐up (P < 0.05); the Lysholm score was improved from 45.81 ± 10.94 before surgery to 93.04 ± 5.66 at the last follow‐up (P < 0.05); and the IKDC score was increased from 43.89 ± 11.16 before surgery to 90.26 ± 5.86 at the last follow‐up (P < 0.05). In 1 patient, an inflammatory reaction was observed at the medial incision of the tibial tubercle; the symptoms disappeared with administration of antibiotics for 1 week. All patients returned to their preinjury physical activities at the last follow‐up.

Conclusion

The “figure‐of‐eight” suture‐button technique achieves a satisfactory clinical outcome and provides an effective method for the treatment of displaced ACL avulsion fractures.