Femoral Positioning of the Anterolateral Ligament Graft With and Without Ultrasound Location of the Lateral Epicondyle.

Background: In anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction, precise positioning of the ALL graft on the femur and tibia is key to achieve rotational control. The lateral femoral epicondyle is often used as a reference point for positioning of the ALL graft and can be located by palpation or with ultrasound guidance.

Purpose: To compare the ALL graft positioning on the femoral side between an ultrasound-guided technique and a palpation technique for the location of the lateral epicondyle.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods: A total of 120 patients receiving a primary combined ACL and ALL reconstruction between June and December 2019 were included. The location of the lateral epicondyle was determined by palpation in the palpation group (n = 60) and with preoperative ultrasound guidance in the ultrasound group (n = 60). Groups were comparable in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and operated side. The planned positioning of the femoral ALL graft was proximal and posterior to the lateral epicondyle. The effective positioning of the femoral ALL graft was evaluated on postoperative lateral radiographs. The primary outcome was location of the graft in a 10-mm quadrant posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle. Results were analyzed in 2 subgroups according to BMI.

Results: All 60 anterolateral grafts (100%) in the ultrasound group were positioned in a 10-mm quadrant posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle, as opposed to 52 (87%) in the palpation group ( = .006). Errors in graft positioning with palpation occurred in overweight patients (BMI >25) as well as nonoverweight patients ( = .3).

Conclusion: Femoral positioning of the ALL graft posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle is more reproducible with ultrasound guidance when compared with palpation alone, regardless of BMI.