Anatomical Landmark Technique for Femoral Tunnel Placement of Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis

The anterolateral ligament is a crucial part of the anterolateral complex of the knee, providing rotator stability to the knee and being a primary restraint to tibial internal rotation. Lateral extra-articular tenodesis added to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can reduce pivot shift without sacrificing the range of motion or increasing the risk of osteoarthritis. A 7-to 8-cm longitudinal skin incision is made and a 9.5-to 10-cm x 1-cm wide iliotibial band graft is dissected, leaving the distal attachment intact. The free end is whip stitched. One of the most important steps during the procedure is the identification of the site of attachment of the iliotibial band graft. The leash of vessels, fat pad, lateral supracondylar ridge, and fibular collateral ligament serve as important landmarks. The tunnel is drilled from the lateral femoral cortex with a guide pin and reamer pointing 20 to 30 & DEG; anteriorly and proximally while the arthroscope visualizes the femoral anterior cruciate ligament tunnel. The graft is routed under the fibular collateral ligament. The graft is fixed with a bioscrew while the knee is kept in 30 & DEG; flexion and the tibia is kept in neutral rotation. We believe that lateral extra -articular tenodesis gives the anterior cruciate ligament graft a good chance for faster healing along with addressing anterolateral rotatory instability. Choosing a correct fixation point is very important to restore normal knee biomechanics.