Information for Patients

Approximately 100,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions are performed in the United States each year. Most current ACL reconstruction procedures focus on replacing the native double-bundle ACL with a single-bundle graft. However, several recent clinical reports have demonstrated persistent instability and degenerative radiographic changes in a significant number of patients following single-bundle ACL reconstruction. A vertical femoral tunnel has been reported to be one of the most common identifiable causes for failure of ACL reconstruction. This article focuses on a “hybrid” single-incision ACL reconstruction technique involving the use of a transtibial-drilled, lateralized femoral funnel placed at the 10:30 position on a right knee (1:30 position for a left knee), which places the graft in a location to effectively replace approximately half of the anteromedial bundle footprint and half of the posterolateral bundle footprint.