ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the effect of the femoral elliptical tunnel technique on gait after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee joint.MethodsA total of 115 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee joint between June 2022 and July 2024 were selected. The patients were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the random number table method. The control group was treated with the circular tunnel technique during the surgery, while the observation group was treated with the femoral elliptical tunnel technique. The impulse and foot angle deviation of each area on the affected foot sole were recorded. The muscle strength of both legs, including the peak moment (PT), total work (TW), average power (AP) of the flexor/extensor muscles of the knee joint, and the maximum single work done by the flexor/extensor muscles (MRTW) was recorded. Knee joint function was evaluated using the Lysholm knee joint function score.ResultsNo significant differences were found in the preoperative deviations in the foot angles and Lysholm knee joint function scores between the two groups (P>0.05). After the surgery, the deviations in the angle of the affected foot in the observation group were significantly smaller than in the control group, and the Lysholm knee joint function score was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the percentage of impulses in the forefoot and midfoot areas between the two groups before surgery (P>0.05). After surgery, the impulses in each area of the foot sole on the affected side were significantly improved in the observation group compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in PT, TW, AP, and MRTW before surgery between the two groups (P>0.05). After surgery, PT, TW, AP, and MRTW in both groups were significantly improved (P<0.05), with PT, TW, AP, and MRTW in the observation group being significantly better than the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionThe femoral elliptical tunnel technique can improve impulses, PT, TW, and foot angle deviations of each area on the affected foot after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee joint, and accelerate recovery of the knee joint.