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Tibial Tunnel Widening in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction-Comparing Two Bioscrews

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
ACL
Interventions
Device: Linvatec PLLA
Device: Linvatec PLLA+TCP
Registration Number
NCT01727739
Lead Sponsor
Panam Clinic
Brief Summary

Widening of the single tibial tunnel following ACL surgery with quadrupled hamstrings autograft may contribute to failure of the graft and/or present technical challenges secondary to bone loss in a revision setting (Getelman, 1999). As such, efforts should be made to minimize the incidence and magnitude of tibial tunnel widening without sacrificing the biomechanical properties of the graft construct. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the tibial tunnel widening relationship between bioabsorbable interference screws composed of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) alone and composite bioabsorbable interference screws composed of poly-L-lactic acid embedded with beta tricalcium phosphate (PLLA+TCP) utilized as tibial fixation devices.

Specifically the study has the following objectives: 1) To quantify the extent of tibial tunnel enlargement at 3-, 6- and 12-months post ACL reconstruction with autogenous quadrupled hamstring graft; 2) To determine if the incorporation of beta tricalcium phosphate to the bioabsorbable interference screw alters the observed magnitude of tunnel widening; 3) To hypothesize mechanisms for any observed differences between tibial fixation devices; and 4) To correlate tibial tunnel widening with clinical outcome status. It is hypothesized that the PLLA+TCP bioabsorbable interference screw will not be associated with a reduction in tibial tunnel widening around the implant but rather between the implant and articular surface, compared to the PLLA alone screw. It is also hypothesized that there will be no effect of observed tunnel widening on clinical outcomes or graft failure rates.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
80
Inclusion Criteria
  • Must have a unilateral ACL rupture
  • Patients must be between 18 and 45 years old
Exclusion Criteria
  • Concomitant medial collateral, lateral collateral, or posterior collateral ligament tears
  • Severe chondromalacia or severe meniscal tear
  • Previous history of ipsilateral knee joint pathology, surgery, or trauma to that knee
  • Unwillingness to be followed for 12 months post-operatively
  • History of arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid)
  • Pregnancy
  • Psychiatric illness that precludes informed consent
  • Unable to speak or read English/French
  • Major medical illness (life expectancy less than 1 year or unacceptably high operative risk)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PLLA bioscrewLinvatec PLLApoly-L-lactic acid bioscrew
PLLA+TCP bioscrewLinvatec PLLA+TCPpoly-l-lactic acid with beta tricalcium phosphate bioscrew
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Radiographs12 months post op

At 3-, 6- and 12-months post-operatively, subjects will undergo radiographic examination of their affected knee (standardized AP and lateral views) for analysis of tibial tunnel parameters. Radiographic analysis will be conducted by a single orthopaedic surgeon/fellow/resident blinded to subject group and clinical examination results. Parameters to be recorded and analyzed according to a standardized method: tibial tunnel diameter (max/min).

We will also look for: Evidence of lysis in the tunnel and changes in morphological features of tunnel over time

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
ACL Quality of Life Scores12 months post op

Completed at 3-, 6- and 12-months post operatively for subjective outcome measure.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pan Am Clinic

🇨🇦

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Pan Am Clinic
🇨🇦Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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