The arthroscopic "impingement test" during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Arthroscopy. 1993;9(6):714-7. doi: 10.1016/s0749-8063(05)80516-x.

Abstract

A primary goal of ACL reconstruction is to avoid graft impingement, which may lead to loss of motion and/or an increased incidence of instability. Although surgeons are cognizant of this potential problem, the intraoperative correction of graft impingement is technically demanding because the graft-notch relationship is obscured by the trochlea articulating with the tibial plateau during the final 10 degrees of extension. We present a simple impingement test that is performed before graft insertion and fixation to help avoid this potential pitfall.

MeSH terms

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery*
  • Arthroscopy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*
  • Tendons / transplantation*