In this recent episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, Dr. Logan and Dr. Bassett discuss strategies to reduce ACL re-injury.
Advances in ACL reconstruction continue to push the field toward stronger fixation, improved graft protection, and more biologically friendly implants. In this special sponsored episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, recorded live at the 2026 AOSSM Annual Meeting in Seattle, Drs. Catherine Logan and Ashley Bassett welcome Dr. Seth Sherman to discuss the latest innovations in graft fixation and how they are changing the way surgeons approach ACL reconstruction. The conversation begins with one of the most important decisions in ACL surgery—graft selection.
Dr. Sherman shares his approach to choosing between bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB), quadriceps tendon, and hamstring autografts, emphasizing how patient age, sex, sport, anatomy, and activity level influence decision-making. He also discusses the growing body of evidence supporting quadriceps tendon autografts, particularly in young athletes and female patients. The discussion then shifts to the evolution of graft fixation, from interference screws to adjustable-loop suspensory fixation, and the advantages of modern cortical fixation systems. Dr. Sherman explains how the Arthrex TightRope SB represents an evolution in ACL fixation by combining an all-suture, low-profile design with familiar surgical workflow, radiopaque visualization, and secure adjustable-loop fixation. The hosts and Dr. Sherman also explore InternalBrace™ augmentation, reviewing the biomechanical rationale, surgical pearls, and emerging clinical evidence supporting graft protection during the vulnerable early phases of ligament healing. Together, they discuss how thoughtful implant design and biologic principles are helping surgeons optimize outcomes while preserving future surgical options. Whether you're an experienced sports medicine surgeon or a trainee learning modern ACL techniques, this episode provides practical insights into the latest advances in ACL reconstruction.
In This Episode Factors that influence ACL graft selection, including age, sport, sex, and anatomy The growing role of quadriceps tendon autografts in primary ACL reconstruction How suspensory fixation has evolved over the past decade Advantages of adjustable-loop cortical fixation systems Features and clinical applications of the Arthrex TightRope SB all-suture fixation device Benefits of preserving bone stock and eliminating permanent metallic hardware Radiopaque implant visualization and its role during surgery Technical considerations and learning curve for adopting all-suture fixation Biomechanical principles and clinical evidence supporting InternalBrace™ augmentation Surgical pearls for avoiding over-constraint during InternalBrace fixation How TightRope SB integrates seamlessly with InternalBrace augmentation The future of biologically friendly, low-profile implant technology in ACL reconstruction Key Takeaways ACL graft selection should be individualized based on patient-specific factors including sport, anatomy, age, and sex.
Quadriceps tendon autografts continue to gain popularity due to predictable graft size, excellent clinical outcomes, and lower donor-site morbidity. Adjustable-loop suspensory fixation has become a reliable and versatile option for modern ACL reconstruction. The Arthrex TightRope SB combines familiar surgical technique with an all-suture, low-profile design that preserves bone and eliminates permanent metallic hardware. Radiopaque implant technology offers additional intraoperative confidence while maintaining the benefits of soft-tissue fixation. InternalBrace™ augmentation functions as a load-sharing construct that may reduce graft strain during early healing while allowing normal rehabilitation when properly tensioned. Modern ACL innovation continues to focus on preserving biology, minimizing hardware, and improving long-term patient outcomes without increasing surgical complexity. About Our Guest Dr. Seth Sherman is a board-certified orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the knee, shoulder, and elbow. He is widely recognized for his expertise in ACL reconstruction, cartilage restoration, and sports injury management, and is an active educator, researcher, and national lecturer dedicated to advancing evidence-based sports medicine. This episode is sponsored by Arthrex. Thank you to Arthrex for supporting continuing education and innovation in sports medicine. Follow The Sports Docs Podcast for conversations with leading surgeons, researchers, and innovators advancing orthopaedic sports medicine through evidence-based education, surgical innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Logan and Dr. Bassett discuss Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis in ACL Surgery on a recent latest LIVE episode of The Sports Docs Podcast:
Lateral extra-articular procedures (LEAPs) have evolved from a controversial adjunct to ACL reconstruction into an increasingly evidence-supported tool for managing rotational instability and reducing graft failure in appropriately selected patients. In this episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, Drs. Henry Ellis and Bonnie Gregory join us live from the AOSSM Annual Meeting to discuss where lateral augmentation fits in modern ACL management. They explore the evidence behind lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET), patient selection and indications, potential complications, LET versus anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR), surgical technique, fixation strategies, and rehabilitation considerations. The conversation also highlights the Arthrex Knee FiberTak system, including how an all-suture anchor platform may address some of the limitations of traditional LET fixation.
Key Topics Discussed Why add a lateral augmentation procedure to ACL reconstruction? Evidence demonstrating reduced ACL graft rupture and improved rotational stability The role of LEAP in high-risk primary ACL reconstruction and revision ACL surgery Impact on return to sport and pre-injury level of play Emerging evidence supporting the cost-effectiveness of LET Understanding the potential downsides Lateral-sided pain and hardware irritation Hematoma and need for hardware removal Early quadriceps weakness Concerns regarding over-constraint and long-term degenerative changes Whether adding a lateral procedure meaningfully changes postoperative recovery Who actually needs a LEAP? Young, active athletes High-grade pivot shift or anterior laxity Knee hyperextension Revision ACL reconstruction Athletes returning to pivoting sports Hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction Multiple coexisting risk factors Chronic ACL deficiency and other emerging indications LEAP in elite athletes How professional team physicians are approaching lateral augmentation Current practice patterns in elite and professional sports The balance between maximizing graft survivorship and avoiding unnecessary procedures LET versus ALL reconstruction Differences in surgical approach Clinical outcomes and graft failure Rotational stability Operative time, cost, and potential complications Why surgeons may favor one technique over the other Modern LET surgical technique Graft harvest and preparation Relationship of the graft to the LCL Femoral fixation Knee position during fixation Graft orientation and isometry Avoiding over-constraint Importance of anatomic attachment sites Management of the IT band at the conclusion of the procedure Spotlight: Arthrex Knee FiberTak The episode takes a closer look at the Knee FiberTak platform and its application in lateral augmentation.
The guests discuss how an all-suture anchor platform may offer advantages compared with traditional fixation methods, including: Reduced hardware prominence Bone preservation Potentially decreased risk of tunnel convergence Low-profile fixation Ergonomic instrumentation designed specifically for the knee Multiple fixation configurations for different surgical applications The Knee FiberTak family includes: Double-Knotless Anchor Double-Knotted Anchor Hybrid Anchor InternalBrace Anchor Knee FiberTak Button The discussion explores how surgeons select between different configurations and how a versatile fixation platform can improve efficiency and adaptability in the operating room. Rehab & Return to Sport The episode concludes with a practical discussion of rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction with lateral augmentation. While the addition of a LEAP generally does not dramatically alter standard postoperative restrictions, the guests emphasize several priorities: Regaining full knee extension Restoring quadriceps strength and activation Monitoring early quadriceps recovery Maintaining appropriate progression through rehabilitation Preparing the athlete for a safe and successful return to sport Summary LEAPs are no longer simply a historical technique being revisited. Contemporary evidence suggests that appropriately selected patients—particularly young, high-risk athletes, patients with significant rotational instability, revision ACL cases, and athletes returning to pivoting sports—may benefit from lateral augmentation as part of a comprehensive ACL reconstruction strategy. The challenge for modern sports surgeons is determining who truly benefits, which technique is most appropriate, and how to perform the procedure without introducing unnecessary morbidity or over-constraint. Disclaimer This episode is sponsored by Arthrex. The discussion includes Arthrex products, including the Knee FiberTak system. The views and opinions expressed by the guests are their own and are intended for educational purposes.
The Sports Docs Podcast: ACL 2.0: Playbook for Reducing Retear Risk (Arthrex TPC)
Live from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies Conference- Why ACL Reconstructions Fail—and How to Prevent It (Arthrex TPC) 🎧 Episode Summary In this episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, Dr. Ashley Bassett and Dr. Catherine Logan sit down LIVE from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies with two leading ACL experts—Dr. Pat Smith and Dr. Aaron Krych—to discuss strategies to reduce failure after ACL reconstruction. The conversation highlights the evolution of ACL surgery, focusing on graft selection, fixation, biologic augmentation, and mechanical protection, with an emphasis on optimizing outcomes in young, high-risk athletes.
Highlights Graft Choice: Autograft vs Allograft Strong evidence shows higher failure rates with allograft in young athletes MOON data: ~4–6x increased risk of failure in patients less than 25 years Allograft best reserved for: Older, lower-demand patients Revision or multi-ligament cases Key principle: graft choice is foundational—no augmentation can compensate for a poor graft decision Autograft Selection Graft choice depends on: Age, sex, sport, and anatomy BTB (Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone): Preferred for high-level pivoting athletes Strong fixation, less graft elongation Quadriceps tendon: Increasingly utilized Larger graft diameter Less donor-site morbidity vs BTB Particularly useful in younger and female athletes Key insight: Grafts less than 8 mm are associated with higher failure risk Graft Fixation Advances Shift toward suspensory fixation on femoral side Adjustable-loop devices allow...
The Sports Docs Podcast - Modern Cartilage Restoration (Next Gen) with Dr. Logan and Dr. Bassett
In this episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, Dr. Ashley Bassett and Dr. Catherine Logan sit down LIVE from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies with cartilage restoration expert Dr. Travis Maak to discuss the modern surgical management of knee cartilage defects.
The conversation focuses on diagnostic workup, surgical decision-making, and cutting-edge cartilage restoration techniques, including Autocart, BioCartilage, and Cartiform.
The Sports Docs Podcast: Seeing is Believing: The Evolution of Arthroscopic Imaging with Dr. Voos
In this episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, Dr. Ashley Bassett and Dr. Catherine Logan sit down LIVE from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies Conference to explore how next-generation arthroscopic imaging is transforming the way orthopaedic surgeons diagnose and treat injuries.
Joined by Dr. James Voos—Chairman of Orthopedics at University Hospitals and Head Team Physician for the Cleveland Browns—the conversation dives into the evolution of nano arthroscopy, panoramic visualization, and integrated imaging systems, and what these advancements mean for surgeons, athletes, and patient outcomes.
Winter Olympics: Why doctors say Lindsey Vonn has 'a great chance to perform well' despite ACL tear
From a purely physical or biomechanical standpoint, it’s possible if you’re an elite Alpine skier like Lindsey is to perform at that Olympic level,” said Dr. Catherine Logan, an orthopedic surgeon at the Joint Preservation Center in Denver who also works with U.S. Ski and Snowboard. “Alpine skiing is very different from your traditional field, cutting, pivoting sports. The movement patterns are relatively predictable in comparison so there’s less demand on the ACL when we’re trying to decelerate or change directions. There’s still an increased risk for secondary injury to the meniscus or her cartilage, but really her ability to generate force, maintain her edges and tolerate those speeds is not eliminated inherently just by having that ACL deficiency. So, despite all those things, she still has a great chance to perform well.
Dr. Catherine Logan Featured in Bloomberg Discussing ACL Tears in Female Athletes
The higher rate of ACL tears in female athletes is a significant concern within sports medicine. Dr. Catherine Logan recently lent her extensive knowledge on the subject to a an article published by Bloomberg News. Dr. Logan discussed key contributing factors, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.
Read more at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-27/why-acl-tears-are-more-common-in-women
Medicine, Physical Therapy, and Business with Dr. Catherine Logan
How Tracking Your Period Can Lower Your Injury Risk
A recent study in Frontiers in Physiology following elite English soccer players found the athletes were almost twice as likely to sustain muscle and tendon injuries mid-cycle, near ovulation, compared to at other times. Whereas other research has similarly shown mid-cycle to be a riskier time for getting hurt, those studies focused solely on ACL injuries. The only other paper to look closely at all types of injuries found athletes to be at a higher risk of getting hurt while getting their periods, a notion that’s commonly cited, but has some methodological faults. That study didn’t clearly define the cycle’s phases or differentiate between different types of injury.
