Influence of knee flexion angle on graft bending angle during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the transportal technique

This study aimed to examine change in the graft bending angle (GBA) according to various knee flexion angles in creating femoral tunnel by the transportal technique in ACL reconstruction, and to reveal knee flexion angle minimizing GBA while maintaining stable femoral tunnel characteristics. Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using the transportal technique between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into three groups according to knee flexion angle when creating femoral tunnel (group 1: < 120° (n = 19); group 2: 120–129° (n = 32); group 3: ≥ 130° (n = 33). GBA was measured on three-dimensional knee model reconstructed from postoperative computed tomography images. The length of the femoral tunnel and posterior wall blow-out were also checked. There was significant difference of GBA between the groups (group 1 = 112.1°; group 2 = 106.4°; group 3 = 101.4°, p < 0.001). The knee flexion angle in creating femoral tunnel was negatively correlated with GBA (r = − 0.733, p < 0.001). Five patients in group 1 had short femoral tunnel. GBA was influenced by knee flexion angle in creating femoral tunnel and got more acute as the knee flexion angle increased. Considering length and risk of wall blow-out in femoral tunnel, and GBA, knee flexion angle between 120 and 130° could be recommended as appropriate angle to create optimal femoral tunnel in ACL reconstruction using the transportal technique.