Mitek Sports Medicine, part of the DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson, has announced the addition of the RIGIDFIX Curve Cross Pin System, the first of its kind, designed specifically for use with the anteromedial (AM) portal approach to enable a more anatomic ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. The company also announced the launch of the RIGIDLOOP Cortical Fixation System, which when used with the INTRAFIX ACL Tibial Fastener System, provides surgeons with a total procedural solution for anatomic soft tissue ACL reconstructions.
Mitek Launches RIGIDFIX, RIGIDLOOP
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In addition, the company announced that two new sizes of MILAGROADVANCE Interference Screws (30mm and 35mm) were added to Mitek Sports Medicine’s portfolio for soft tissue and bone-patellar tendon-bone reconstruction.
The RIGIDFIX Curve System uses the AM portal approach, and enables precise placement of two cross pins in the femoral tunnel. The cross pins provide strong fixation and the close to aperture fixation minimizes intratunnel graft micromotion, small movements of the graft inside the femoral tunnel, that may cause tunnel widening. The two cross pins create a compression fit that further enhances 360-degree graft to bone contact. The design of RIGIDFIX Curve is based on the original RIGIDFIX Cross Pin System, which has been used for ACL reconstruction through a transtibial approach for more than ten years.
“An anteromedial approach may provide a more anatomic placement of the graft and greater rotational stability of the knee, compared to transtibial drilling, ” said Marc R. Labbé, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, in the November 7, 2013 news release. “The RIGIDFIX Curve System provides a strong, rigid fixation and has features that enhance precision and ease-of-use.”
The RIGIDLOOP System consists of a titanium button that comes pre-loaded with a braided suture loop and offers excellent pull out strength. The new device is available in sizes 15mm-60mm in 5mm increments, as well as an Extra-Large (XL) button for femoral tunnels greater than 6mm in diameter. The system includes an innovative variable depth gauge that calculates total transosseous length, amount of graft in tunnel, socket reaming depth and implant size.
Ian Lawson, worldwide president of Mitek Sports Medicine, told OTW, “We look forward to continuing to bolster our knee portfolio in the future so that we can provide customers with advanced procedural solutions.”
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This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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