Effect of PEEK Polymer on Tunnel Widening After Hamstring ACL Reconstruction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the AperFix device (Cayenne Medical, Inc, Scottsdale, Arizona), composed of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer, on tunnel widening after hamstring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction as compared with 2 other fixation devices: the TransFix (Arthrex, Inc, Naples, Florida) and the EndoButton (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Mansfield, Massachusetts). Sixty-seven patients with isolated total ACL ruptures who underwent arthroscopically assisted reconstruction using hamstring autografts at the authors' institution were included in the study. Patients were assigned into 1 of 3 groups in a nonrandomized fashion: AperFix (n=18), TransFix (n=29), and EndoButton (n=20). Mean follow-up was 30 months. Tunnel widening measurements were performed on anteroposterior and lateral digital plain radiographs taken in postoperative week 1 and at final follow-up. Laxity testing, Lysholm scoring, and arthrometric evaluation were performed.