The application of proximal tibial anterior closing wedge osteotomy in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Introduction: Posterior tibial slope (PTS) plays a vital role in knee stability. PTS of more than 12° may be considered with increased strain on the native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) fibers. To handle the instability caused by changes in PTS degree, Proximal Tibial Anterior Closing Wedge Osteotomy (PT-ACWO) is adopted by surgeons. Methods: Between October 2015 and October 2019, our department conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who experienced anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) graft failures, with a particular focus on pathological PTS. The time from initial ACLR to revision ranged from 1 to 10 years, with a mean of 2.5 years. Radiological assessments of PTS were conducted, and outcomes were quantified using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity scale. The surgical technique and the use of 3D Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) were outlined. Preoperative imaging included the use of Kirschner wires to establish tibial plateau reference points, and 3D-PSI was employed to guide the location and depth of the tibial osteotomy, which was performed obliquely. In a notable instance, a novel tibial tunnel was mapped out, and ortho-bridge system (OBS) fixation was utilized to ensure adequate space for the new tunnel. Results: In a cohort of seven patients with a mean follow-up of 28.1 months, a significant reduction in PTS was noted postoperatively (median [interquartile range, IQR], from 15.27° [13.46°, 16.60°] to 6.25° [5.89°, 6.78°]; Conclusion: An augmented PTS angle exceeding 12 may constitute a potential etiology for the failure of ACLR grafts. In such patients, the implementation of ACLR combined with PT-ACWO could mitigate the risk of surgical failure during initial ACLR or subsequent revision procedures.