Aging-related changes in knee flexor muscle strength and cross-sectional area.

Weakening muscle strength around the knee tends to render it vulnerable to aging-related damage. This study aimed to examine the association between knee flexor muscle strength and its cross-sectional area (CSA). We also evaluated aging-related changes in flexor muscle strength and CSA. We retrospectively analyzed 252 patients with acute-onset knee pain (<1 month) between September 2006 and August 2009 in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology statement. The CSA of each knee flexor muscle (biceps femoris, sartorius, gracilis, semitendinosus (ST), and semimembranosus (SM)) was measured on magnetic resonance imaging axial images at the suprapatellar level. We evaluated flexor muscle strength (peak torque in N.m) using a Cybex dynamometer at 60°/second and 180°/second and its correlation with CSA. In total, 252 patients (mean age, 34.5 years; range, 11 to 66 years; 184 men and 68 women) were included in this study. No significant intergroup differences in demographic data such as sex or body mass index were found. Mean CSA was 605.4 mm2 for the SM, 444.7 mm2 for the biceps femoris, 282 mm2 for the sartorius, 55.4 mm2 for the ST, and 34.1 mm2 for the gracilis. Mean peak torques were 67.4 N.m and 52.7 N.m at 60°/second and 180°/second, respectively. CSA was positively correlated with flexion strengths of 60°/second (R = 0.363, P < .001) and 180°/second (R = 0.354, P < .001). Muscle strength was associated with CSA in all muscles but the gracilis (R = 0.056, P = .375). Flexion strength decreased significantly with aging from the thirties. Total CSA decreased with aging (r = -0.247, P < .001). The CSA of the biceps femoris, sartorius, SM, and ST decreased significantly, whereas that of the gracilis tended to decrease non-significantly with aging. Flexor muscle strength was associated with total muscle CSA on magnetic resonance imaging and the CSA of every muscle except the gracilis. Flexion strength decreased significantly with aging after the twenties, while total CSA decreased significantly with aging. The CSA of all flexor muscles decreased significantly with aging, whereas that of the gracilis decreased only slightly.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Results of Outside-in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparison of Fixed- and Adjustable-Length Loop Cortical Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Cortical suspensory femoral fixation is commonly performed for graft fixation to the femur in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring tendons. The purpose of this study was to compare graft healing in the femoral tunnel, implant-related failure, and clinical results between fixed- and adjustable-length loop devices in outside-in ACL reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 109 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using the outside-in technique from December 2010 to July 2014 were included. For femoral graft fixation, a fixed-length loop device was used in 48 patients (fixed-loop group) and an adjustable-length loop device was used in 61 patients (adjustable-loop group). For evaluation of graft healing in the femoral tunnel, magnetic resonance imaging was performed at postoperative 6 months and the signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the tendon graft and tendon-bone interface in the femoral bone tunnel were evaluated. The presence of synovial fluid was evaluated to determine loop lengthening at the femoral tunnel exit. Clinical results assessed using International Knee Documentation Committee score, Tegner-Lysholm Knee Scoring scale, and knee instability tests were compared between groups. RESULTS: The SNRs of the tendon graft and tendon-bone interface were not statistically different between groups. The presence of synovial fluid at the femoral exit showed no statistical difference between groups. Clinical results were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The adjustable-length loop device provided comparable graft healing, implant-related failure, and clinical results with the fixed-length loop device, allowing adaptation of the graft to the different tunnel lengths. Therefore, it could be effectively used with an adjustment according to the femoral tunnel length.

Comparison of transtibial and retrograde outside-in techniques of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in terms of graft nature and clinical outcomes: a case control study using 3T MRI.

INTRODUCTION: This study was performed to compare ACL graft maturation and morphologies using MRI between trans-tibial (TT) and retrograde outside-in (OI) techniques, and to compare clinical outcomes between the two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients underwent single-tunnel ACL reconstruction using quadrupled hamstring autografts, with the TT technique used on 42 patients (TT group) and the retrograde OI technique used on 39 patients (OI group). All patients were examined with 3 T MRI at 6 months (between 5 and 7 months) after surgery. The signal intensity of the reconstructed graft was analyzed and compared between the two groups, using the signal/noise quotient (SNQ), the orientation of the ACL graft and the tibial tunnel location of the graft. The SNQ value is indicative of graft maturation, and the orientation of the graft and the tibial tunnel location of the graft represent graft morphology. Clinical evaluation was performed before the surgery and 2 years or more after the surgery. RESULTS: The mean SNQ value of the TT group was significantly (P = 0.030) lower than that of the OI group. The mean sagittal ACL angle (P < 0.001) and the mean coronal ACL angle (P < 0.001) were more vertical in the TT group. The tibial tunnel aperture was located at a significantly (P < 0.001) more posterior position in the TT group. There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical results between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The OI technique showed a more anteriorly positioned tibial tunnel and a more oblique graft orientation in both sagittal and coronal planes. However, in comparison with the TT group, a significantly higher SNQ value was noticed in the follow-up MRI of the OI group at 6 months, although clinical results of the two groups were not significantly different during at least the 2-year follow-up.

Association of fibrosis in the infrapatellar fat pad and degenerative cartilage change of patellofemoral joint after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factor of cartilage degeneration of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) that was diagnosed by second-look arthroscopy. METHODS: One-hundred and seven patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were evaluated by preoperative MRI, postoperative MRI and second-look arthroscopy. Severity of infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) fibrosis was evaluated by MRI at an average of 26months after ACL reconstruction. Cartilage degeneration was assessed by second-look arthroscopy at 29months. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (24.0%) showed cartilage degeneration of the PFJ in second-look arthroscopy. Patients were divided into three groups according to severity of IPFP fibrosis of postoperative MRI (i.e. Group A, focal and incomplete band fibrosis, n=69; Group B, complete band fibrosis, n=31; and Group C, diffuse and infiltrated fibrosis, n=7). Cartilage degeneration of the PFJ was significantly worsened with more fibrosis formation of the IPFP (P<0.001). Other factors for instabilities (BMI, age, concomitant meniscal procedure, time from injury to reconstruction, severity of IPFP fibrosis at preoperative MRI and clinical scores) were not correlated with cartilage degeneration of the PFJ. The multivariate logistic regression analysis of degeneration of the PFJ after ACL reconstruction identified more severe fibrosis tissue formation of the IPFP and initial cartilage defect as significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: More extensive fibrosis of the IPFP and initial cartilage defect may be related to further degenerative changes of the PFJ. Other factors did not affect cartilage degeneration of the PFJ, although the muscle strength, the individual activity level or the rehabilitation protocol was not evaluated in the short-term follow-up period.

Accuracy and Reproducibility of the Femoral Tunnel With Different Viewing Techniques in the ACL Reconstruction.

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy and reproducibility of the femoral tunnel location among 3 different viewing techniques used during outside-in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with 3- dimensional (3-D) computed tomography (CT): (1) an anterolateral (AL) or anteromedial (AM) portal with a 30° arthroscope (A group) vs (2) a posterolateral (PL) portal with a 70° arthroscope (PL group) vs (3) a trans-septal (TS) portal with a 30° arthroscope (TS group). A total of 106 patients undergoing outside-in ACL reconstruction were recruited. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to viewing technique (A group=36 patients; PL group=35 patients; TS group=35 patients). Femoral tunnel locations were evaluated with the quadrant method and the anatomic coordinate axes measurement (ACAM) method in the medial wall of the lateral femoral condyle using 3-D reconstructed CT. The accuracy and reproducibility of the femoral tunnel locations were compared among the 3 techniques. The accuracy of the tunnel location was higher in the TS group by the quadrant method as well as the ACAM method. The reproducibility of the femoral tunnel position in the TS group was the highest, and the femoral tunnel locations of the TS group were more compactly distributed compared with those of the A and PL groups. The accuracy and reproducibility of the femoral tunnel location could be improved with a TS portal viewed using a 30° arthroscope. Anteromedial/anterolateral and PL portals viewed using a 70° arthroscope showed no difference. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(6):e1085-e1091.].

Graft bending angle is correlated with femoral intraosseous graft signal intensity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the outside-in technique.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were as follows: 1) to determine the correlation between the bending angle of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft at the femoral tunnel and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity of the ACL graft and 2) to analyze the difference in the MRI signal intensity of the reconstructed ACL graft in different areas of the graft after single-bundle hamstring autograft ACL (SB ACL) reconstruction using an outside-in (OI) technique with bone-sparing retro-reaming. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients who underwent SB ACL reconstruction with the hamstring tendon autograft using the OI technique were enrolled in this study. All patients were assessed using three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) to evaluate femoral tunnel factors, including tunnel placement, tunnel length, tunnel diameter, and femoral tunnel bending angle. At a mean of 6.3±0.8months after surgery, 3.0-T MRI was used to evaluate the graft signal intensity using signal/noise quotient for high-signal-intensity lesions. RESULTS: Among various femoral tunnel factors, only the femoral tunnel bending angle in the coronal plane was significantly (p=0.003) correlated with the signal/noise quotient of the femoral intraosseous graft. The femoral intraosseous graft had significantly (p=0.009) higher signal intensity than the other graft zone. Five cases (13.2%) showed high-signal-intensity zones around the femoral tunnel but not around the tibial tunnel. CONCLUSION: After ACL reconstruction using the OI technique, the graft bending angle was found to be significantly correlated with the femoral intraosseous graft signal intensity, indicating that increased signal intensity by acute graft bending might be related to the maturation of the graft. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This was a retrospective comparative study with Level III evidence.

Effectiveness of closed suction drainage tip culture in hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between bacterial growth in closed suction drainage tip culture and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). METHODS: Retrospective review included 256 patients who had undergone hip arthroplasty in which the closed suction drainage tip was cultured. Follow-up periods were longer than a year. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated in order to determine the significance of closed suction drainage tip culture in early diagnosis of infection. Patients with positive culture test were monitored to determine the effect of change in antibiotics on treatment of early infection. RESULTS: Eight of the 13 infections showed positive results from closed suction drainage tip culture. Eleven of the 243 non-infectious cases showed positive results after closed suction drainage tip culture (p<0.001). Sensitivity of closed suction drainage tip culture was 61.5%, with a specificity of 95.5%. Positive and negative predictive values were 42.1% and 97.9%, respectively. Systemic antibiotics were administered according to in vitro sensitivity of bacteria cultured from closed suction drainage tip in 13 of 19 positive culture cases. No statistically significant difference in infection risk was observed between the antibiotics group and the group to which antibiotics were not administered (p=0.51). CONCLUSION: Closed suction drainage tip culture can aid in the early detection of infection.

Comparison of Tibial Tunnel Techniques in Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: C-Arm Versus Anatomic Fovea Landmark.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) fovea landmark against conventional fluoroscopic pin placement retrospectively using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT). METHODS: This retrospective comparison focused on the tibial tunnel locations determined in consecutive 26 patients using the fluoroscopic imaging technique (group I) and in consecutive 23 patients using the PCL fovea landmark technique without the help of the fluoroscopy (group II) for tibial tunnel formation. The 3D surface-modeled CT images that appropriately located the position of the PCL fovea on the tibial plateau were used. Ratios between total length of the fovea and length of the tunnel center from the medial border (coronal) and posterior edge (sagittal) were evaluated. RESULTS: The ratios between sagittal tunnel length and total sagittal length for groups I and II were 35.4% ± 12.2% and 44.1% ± 23.1%, respectively (P = .07). The ratios between the coronal tunnel lengths and total coronal lengths for groups I and II were 47.3% ± 9.2% and 57.3% ± 18.1%, respectively: group II showed a more laterally positioned tibial tunnel than did group I (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: A more laterally located tibial tunnel was produced using the PCL fovea landmark technique. However, the differences in centers were small and probably not clinically relevant. Therefore, the PCL fovea landmark technique might be an alternative method to the fluoroscopic imaging technique for locating the anatomic tibial tunnel during transtibial PCL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Comparison between conservative treatment and arthroscopic pull-out repair of the medial meniscus root tear and analysis of prognostic factors for the determination of repair indication.

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to compare the clinical outcomes between the conservative treatment and pull-out repair of the medial meniscus root tear (MMRT), and to analyze the prognostic factors of the MMRT repair for the determination of repair indication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 38 patients, diagnosed with a MMRT between August 2010 and February 2012, were retrospectively evaluated. Among these patients, 25 patients (pull-out repair group) underwent arthroscopic pull-out repair and the remaining 13 patients (conservative treatment group) underwent conservative management. Two groups were compared using the final clinical outcomes (using Tegner and Lysholm activity scale, IKDC subjective score). For the analysis of prognostic factors of the pull-out repair, patients' factors, radiologic, and magnetic resonance imaging factors were evaluated. Degrees of varus alignment (≥5°) and cartilage status (≥outerbridge III) were employed as a cut-off value in comparing the final clinical outcomes among the subgroups. RESULTS: In the final clinical results, the MMRT pull-out repair group had better IKDC subjective scores (p < 0.001), Tegner and Lysholm activity scale (p = 0.017). In the MMRT pull-out repair group, mild varus knee patient achieved better clinical outcome than the severe varus knee patient (p = 0.006). And the mild cartilage degenerative patient group achieved better outcomes than the severe cartilage degenerative patient group (p = 0.009). However, there was no significant difference between the severe varus alignment group and conservative treatment group (p = 0.487). Severe cartilage changes also show no significant difference (p = 0.643). CONCLUSIONS: The MMRT pull-out repair group had better clinical results than that the conservative treatment group. However, severe varus alignment and severe degeneration of cartilage status were a poor prognostic factor, and there was no significant difference between the severe varus alignment or severe cartilage change and the conservative treatment group in the clinical results. The other optional treatment could be recommended for patients who have MMRT with a severe varus knee alignment or severe cartilage.

Estimation of risk for diabetes according to the metabolically healthy status stratified by degree of obesity in Korean men.

Although obesity is clearly identified as a risk factor for diabetes, the relationship between diabetes and metabolically healthy status of obesity is less clear. This study was aimed to evaluate the incidental risk of diabetes according to metabolically healthy status of obesity. 31,834 Korean men without diabetes categorized into six groups according to their metabolically healthy status stratified by degree of obesity were followed up for 5 years: metabolically healthy normal weight (MH-NW), metabolically healthy overweight (MH-OW), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MU-NW), metabolically unhealthy overweight (MU-OW), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to measure the risk for diabetes according to their categories. While overall incidence was 9.0 %, incidence of diabetes was in proportion to the degree of obesity and metabolically healthy status (MH-NW: 6.3 %, MH-OW: 7.5 %, MHO: 9.2 %, MU-NW: 11.8 %, MU-OW: 14.9 %, MUO: 20.1 %). When MH-NW was set as reference, the adjusted HRs (95 % CI) for diabetes of the MH-OW, MHO, MU-NW, MU-OW, MUO compared to MH-NW were 1.18 (1.06-1.32), 1.58 (1.03-2.41), 1.81 (1.61-2.04), 2.36 (2.11-2.63), and 3.47 (2.84-4.24), respectively. In conclusion, risk for diabetes was in proportion to the degree of obesity in both metabolically healthy and unhealthy group. Metabolically healthy status was more significant determinant for incident diabetes than obesity itself.

A cohort study of incident microalbuminuria in relation to HOMA-IR in Korean men.

BACKGROUND: Despite the previous studies showing the relationship between microalbuminuria and insulin resistance, longitudinal effect of insulin resistance on development of microalbuminuria is not clearly identified in non-diabetic population. METHODS: One thousand six hundred three non-diabetic Korean men without microalbuminuria in 2005 had been followed up for the development of microalbuminuria until 2010. Microalbuminuria was evaluated by urine-albumin creatinine ration, and insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risk for microalbuminuria according to the tertile of HOMA-IR. RESULTS: During 5465.8 person-y of average follow-up, microalbuminuria developed in 76 (4.7%) participants. Incidence of microalbuminuria increased in proportion to the level of HOMA-IR (tertile 1: 3.0%, tertile 2: 4.1%, tertile 3: 7.1%, P<0.001). When the 1st tertile of HOMA-IR was set as reference, hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval were 1.15 (0.56-2.35) and 2.07 (1.05-4.09) for those in the 2nd and 3rd tertiles of HOMA-IR, even after adjusting multiple covariates, respectively (P for linear trend=0.054). CONCLUSIONS: Increased insulin resistance was a predictor of microalbuminuria in Korean men.

Clinical associations between metabolic syndrome and the development of microalbuminuria in Korean men.

AIMS: There have been several studies on the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and microalbuminuria. However, none has examined whether MetS is associated with the prospective development of microalbuminuria. Accordingly, we performed a prospective study to evaluate the longitudinal effects of baseline number of MetS traits on the development of microalbuminuria in Korean men. METHODS: 1649 Korean men without microalbuminuria in 2005 were included and followed prospectively until 2010 with the endpoint being the development of microalbuminuria. MetS was defined according to the joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention. Microalbuminuria was evaluated by urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR). Risk estimations for development of microalbuminuria were analyzed according to the number of MetS traits using multivariate adjusted Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: During 5611.8 person-years of follow-up (median 3.40±1.46 years), microalbuminuria developed in 91 (5.5%) participants between 2006 and 2010. After adjusting for multiple covariates, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for development of microalbuminuria comparing 1, 2 and 3-5 MetS traits vs 0 were 2.57 (0.97-6.82), 2.94 (1.09-7.98) and 3.85 (1.37-10.86), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The number of MetS traits independently associated with the future development of microalbuminuria during the 5-year follow-up period, and MetS per se was an independent risk factor for microalbuminuria.

The incidental relationship between serum ferritin levels and hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although several studies have shown an association between ferritin level and hypertension, only a few studies have investigated the longitudinal relationship between them. Thus, we evaluated the incidental risk for hypertension according to baseline ferritin level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 7104 healthy Korean men matched by a propensity score, who had participated in a medical health check-up program in 2005, were followed up from 2005 to 2010. They were divided into four groups according to baseline serum ferritin level (first quartile-fourth quartile). The incidence of hypertension was compared among the four groups, and the Cox-proportional hazard model was used to assess whether the development of hypertension was associated with higher baseline serum ferritin level. RESULTS: A total of 1252 (17.6%) cases had newly developed hypertension during the 26,339.5 person-years of follow-up between 2006 and 2010. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) for incident hypertension were 1.00 (reference), 1.09 (0.91-1.30), 1.21 (1.01-1.45) and 1.28 (1.07-1.52), respectively (P for trend=0.003) through the quartiles of serum ferritin levels, respectively, after adjusting for multiple confounders. For the log-transformed serum ferritin levels as a continuous variable, adjusted HRs and 95% CIs for HTN were 1.15 (1.02-1.29). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum ferritin level was independently associated with the incidental risk for hypertension in Korean men. This finding suggests the value of elevated ferritin level as an early predictor of hypertension.

Simultaneous Bilateral Fracture of Femoral Neck in Korea: A Case Report.

Unilateral femoral neck factures are common and their incidence is increasing. However, simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures are rare. Although cases of simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures have been reported, most were caused by strong muscle contractions during electroconvulsive therapy. Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures caused by a simple fall are an extremely rare injury; therefore, limited literature is available, and no case has been reported in Korea. We report herein a case of simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures caused by a simple fall. An 83-year-old woman visited the emergency department with bilateral hip joint pain and gait disturbance, which developed 1 day after a fall. Tenderness and severe limitation in left hip joint range of motion and mild limitation in right hip joint range of motion were observed on a physical examination. A Garden type IV femoral neck fracture in the left hip joint and a Garden type I femoral neck fracture in the right hip joint were observed on plain radiography. She underwent right screw fixation and left bipolar hemiarthroplasty 2 days after admission. The patient could walk using a walker 4 weeks postoperatively. Bone union in the right femoral neck was observed at the 3 month follow-up. No specific findings were observed at the left hip hemiarthroplasty site.

The double flipped meniscus sign: unusual MRI findings in bucket-handle tear of the lateral meniscus.

Bucket-handle meniscal tears are either longitudinal, vertical, or oblique in direction with an attached tear fragment displaced from the meniscus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs are widely used in the diagnosis of these tears, including the 'fragment within the intercondylar notch sign', 'flipped meniscus sign', 'double anterior horn sign', 'absence of the bow tie sign', 'double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sign', 'posterior double PCL sign', and 'triple PCL sign'. We report an unusual case, not yet described in previous studies, of a bucket-handle tear presenting as a double longitudinal tear of the lateral meniscus (LM). Two longitudinal tears were observed in the white-white zone and the red-white zone of the LM, where both fragments were shown to be displaced and locked within the intercondylar notch. Partial menisectomy was performed for the central fragment and a repair with modified all-inside sutures was performed for the peripheral fragment.

Three-dimensional reconstruction computed tomography evaluation of tunnel location during single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a comparison of transtibial and 2-incision tibial tunnel-independent techniques.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic tunnel positioning is important in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery. Recent studies have suggested the limitations of a traditional transtibial technique to place the ACL graft within the anatomic tunnel position of the ACL on the femur. The purpose of this study is to determine if the 2-incision tibial tunnel-independent technique can place femoral tunnel to native ACL center when compared with the transtibial technique, as the placement with the tibial tunnel-independent technique is unconstrained by tibial tunnel. METHODS: In sixty-nine patients, single-bundle ACL reconstruction with preservation of remnant bundle using hamstring tendon autograft was performed. Femoral tunnel locations were measured with quadrant methods on the medial to lateral view of the lateral femoral condyle. Tibial tunnel locations were measured in the anatomical coordinates axis on the top view of the proximal tibia. These measurements were compared with reference data on anatomical tunnel position. RESULTS: With the quadrant method, the femoral tunnel centers of the transtibial technique and tibial tunnel-independent technique were located. The mean (± standard deviation) was 36.49% ± 7.65% and 24.71% ± 4.90%, respectively, from the over-the-top, along the notch roof (parallel to the Blumensaat line); and at 7.71% ± 7.25% and 27.08% ± 7.05%, from the notch roof (perpendicular to the Blumensaat line). The tibial tunnel centers of the transtibial technique and tibial tunnel-independent technique were located at 39.83% ± 8.20% and 36.32% ± 8.10%, respectively, of the anterior to posterior tibial plateau depth; and at 49.13% ± 4.02% and 47.75% ± 4.04%, of the medial to lateral tibial plateau width. There was no statistical difference between the two techniques in tibial tunnel position. The tibial tunnel-independent technique used in this study placed femoral tunnel closer to the anatomical ACL anteromedial bundle center. In contrast, the transtibial technique placed the femoral tunnel more shallow and higher from the anatomical position, resulting in more vertical grafts. CONCLUSIONS: After single-bundle ACL reconstruction, three-dimensional computed tomography showed that the tibial tunnel-independent technique allows for the placement of the graft closer to the anatomical femoral tunnel position when compared with the traditional transtibial technique.