Tendon Groove Technique: A Double-Bundle Footprint Technique for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has biomechanical advantages over single-bundle reconstruction. However, most studies perform the DB reconstruction with 2 femoral tunnels, which fails to provide an entire femoral footprint for ACL reconstruction. In this study, we describe a femoral double-bundle footprint technique for ACL reconstruction, named the tendon groove technique. This technique modifies the DB femoral tunnels through connecting 2 inner orifices of the anteromedial bundle and the posterolateral bundle tunnels, creating a groove to ensure an entire ACL footprint. This modified technique achieves an anatomic and double-bundle ACL reconstruction with a native footprint, which increases the tendon-bone interface area and theoretically promotes tendon-bone healing in ACL reconstruction.