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

Abstract

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.