title: Augmentation of femoral fixation in hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a bioabsorbable bead: a prospective single-blind randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The EndoPearl is an adjunct to bioabsorbable interference screw fixation in the femoral tunnel in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of the study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of the EndoPearl using the KT-1000 Knee Arthrometer and the Mohtadi ACL Quality of Life (ACL-QOL) Questionnaire.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The application of the EndoPearl in hamstring ACL reconstruction has no significant benefit when compared to conventional treatment in KT-1000 and ACL-QOL Questionnaire outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective single-blind randomized clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  ACL reconstruction with autogenous semitendinosus and gracilis tendons was performed on 35 patients. Preoperatively, 3 months, 6 months, and 18 months postoperatively, patients' knees were evaluated using the KT-1000 Knee Arthrometer and the ACL-QOL Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant differences were achieved in terms of KT-1000 side-to-side differences between the study group and the control group at 6 months and 18 months postoperatively; the mean side-to-side differences are significantly less in the study group when compared to the control group. Statistically significant differences were not detected when comparing the ACL-QOL Questionnaire between the two groups at all time intervals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of the EndoPearl in conjunction with a bioscrew in the femoral tunnel in autogenous ACL reconstruction using semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafts provides a significantly decreased laxity up to 18 months postoperatively in terms of KT-1000 side-to-side differences.
authors.affiliation: Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Shalinder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arneja
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Froese
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001863:Bone Screws; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome