The EZLoc: A Simple, Rigid Femoral Fixation Device for a Soft Tissue Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft

Abstract

The EZLoc is a new femoral fixation device for soft tissue anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction that combines superior fixation properties (1427 N strength, ϱN/mm stiffness, and high resistance to slippage) with a simple surgical technique. The EZLoc is composed of a slotted body through which the ACL graft is looped and a deployable lever arm that rigidly fixes the graft on the anterolateral cortex of the femur. The EZLoc comes in a sterile package with a sharp-tip passing pin that is secured in the slotted body with a suture tied under tension. After the ACL graft is passed into the femoral tunnel, the suture is cut, the passing pin is removed, and the suture is tensioned, which deploys the lever arm and fixes the EZLoc on cortical bone. The EZLoc can be used with both the one-and 2-tunnel ACL reconstruction techniques, and is available in several length and diameter combinations that are for use in tunnels ranging from 20 to 60 mm in length and ACL grafts ranging from 5 to 10 mm in diameter.

Anterior Laxity, Slippage, and Recovery of Function in the First Year After Tibialis Allograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…The single-tunnel, arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction was performed under general anesthesia with an aseptically harvested, fresh-frozen, nonirradiated, non-chemically treated tibialis allograft from a tissue bank accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, New Jersey) with use of a previously described technique. 30 A 9-mm diameter single-looped anterior or posterior tibialis graft was used because the structural, material, and viscoelastic properties of each tendon are similar. 12 Although the exact age of the donor was unknown, studies have shown that age of the donor does not have an important effect on the mechanical properties and modulus of tendon grafts.…”

Femoral fixation of hamstring tendon grafts in ACL reconstructions: the 2-year follow-up results of a prospective randomized controlled study

“…Clinically significant changes of C10 points were found for three subscales. The 95 % CI for the median difference for ''pain'' in the EZLoc group was (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22) and (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) in the Bone Mulch group. Corresponding values for ''sports'' were [ (25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)) and (28-40)] and for ''QOL'' [(38-53) and (38-53)].…”

“…Eligible patients underwent a diagnostic arthroscopy, and those fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomized perioperatively by drawing a sealed envelope to either reconstruction with the EZLoc or the Bone Mulch Screw for the femoral fixation. The surgical technique was based on former publications [10, 19] and as described by the manufacturer. Senior orthopaedic surgeons performed all reconstructions.…”

Randomized Prospective Study Comparing Transverse and Extracortical Fixation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

“…Among the graft fixation methods, there are some that use interference screws made of metal or bioabsorbable materials (poly-L-lactate acid), which are generally used in an intra-articular manner in the femur (10) . There are other methods in which use of screws, transverse pins or extracortical anchorage devices like EZLoc™ (11) and Endobutton TM are recommended.…”