Graft fixation is the mechanism by which a graft is attached to bone.
The endobutton at the top is an example of 'suspensory' cortical fixation, where the device is on the outside of the bone and suspends the ligament, which would be fixed at the lower end with perhaps an interference screw.
Graft fixation in cruciate ligament surgery
Graft fixation is particularly relevant in cruciate ligament reconstruction - ACL and PCL - where the replacement graft has to be held in place during those weeks while the graft is being re-populated with blood vessels and fibrous tissue. Any device needs to be strong enough to avoid failure, stiff enough to restore knee stability and secure enough to avoid slippage.
Fixation may be -
- Suspensory - from the outside of the bone
- Aperture - from a tunnel inside the bone
Synonyms:
fixation device
graft fixation device
aperture fixation
suspensory fixation
-
Suspensory Fixation -
Aperture fixation Fixation
Slideshare
ACL graft fixation options. Excellent Slideshare presentation by Associate Professor Dr Rajesh Purushothaman.