Iliotibial band friction syndrome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the transfix device: report of two cases and review of the literature

The use of hamstrings is increasing as a treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. There are a lot of new devices and techniques that try to fix the graft without causing further injury or increased morbidity. We report two cases in relation to the transfix device for reconstructing the ACL. The first case is a 38-year-old female who was treated with an autologous hamstring graft for chronic ACL instability brought on by a sport trauma. The patient developed iliotibial band friction syndrome 3 months after the operation. MRI showed incorrect positioning and a rupture of the femoral bio-absorbable cross-pin. The hamstring graft always had good fixation and did not produce instability of the knee. We removed the cross-pin fragment in a second surgery and the patient returned to her daily lifestyle after 3 weeks. The second case is a 52-year-old female with a painful and unstable knee due to a previous lateral meniscectomy and failure of an ACL reconstruction. We performed an ACL reconstruction with an autologous hamstring graft and a lateral meniscus transplantation. Some months after the procedure she also developed this syndrome. MRI showed the same features as shown in the first case and a second surgery was needed. To our knowledge this clinical and technical problem has not been previously described.