ACL Surgery in Youth Athletes Works Well

Abstract

Research Article| September 01 2016 ACL Surgery in Youth Athletes Works Well AAP Grand Rounds (2016) 36 (3): 25. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.36-3-25 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation ACL Surgery in Youth Athletes Works Well. AAP Grand Rounds September 2016; 36 (3): 25. https://doi.org/10.1542/gr.36-3-25 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All PublicationsAll JournalsAAP Grand RoundsPediatricsHospital PediatricsPediatrics In ReviewNeoReviewsAAP NewsAll AAP Sites Search Advanced Search Topics: anterior cruciate ligament, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, athlete, return to sport, sports, anterior cruciate ligament injuries Source: Chicorelli AM, Micheli LJ, Kelly M, et al. Return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the skeletally immature athlete. Clin J Sport Med. 2016; 26(4): 266– 271; doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000275Google Scholar Investigators from Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) and The Ohio State Medical Center conducted a retrospective case series of skeletally immature athletes to assess their return to sport participation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair. Children were identified by chart review and were eligible if they were ≤14 years old and had ACL reconstructive surgery at BCH from 2001–2009. Eligible children were mailed an initial questionnaire about their ACL injury, cause of the injury (sport-related or non–sport-related trauma), type of sport at the time of injury, and return to sport after ACL surgery. A follow-up questionnaire was administered to those who completed the initial questionnaire to assess whether they returned to the same perceived pre-injury level of play (higher, same, lower, or did not return to sports) and whether this level of play was maintained. Patient demographics and the type of graft used in the ACL repair were obtained from chart review. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine whether time to return to sports was influenced by age, sex, BMI, trauma as a cause of injury, or type of surgical graft. There were 250 initial questionnaires completed (75% response rate). Of these, 142 completed a follow-up questionnaire (57% response rate). Non–sport-related trauma was the cause of ACL injury in 24% of respondents. Among those with sport-related trauma as the cause of injury, the most common sport played at the time of injury was soccer. Most (96%) respondents returned to sport participation, with 75% stating that they returned to at least the same level of play. The median time to return was 9 months after ACL repair. Age, sex, trauma, and type of graft were not significant predictors of time to return to sport. The investigators conclude that most children with ACL injury are able to return to sport participation after ACL repair, with the median time to return being 9 months after repair. Dr. Hennrikus has disclosed no financial relationship relevant to this commentary. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device. Operative treatment of ACL injuries in youth athletes is controversial because of concern about injury to the growth plates.1 Historically, the skeletally immature athlete with an ACL tear had been restricted from sports for 1–5 years until skeletal maturity, and then an ACL reconstruction was performed with an additional 9-month delay after surgery until the athlete was allowed to play sports. Delaying ACL reconstruction often negatively affects the athlete’s quality of life and may limit future participation in sports.2 In addition, prolonged nonoperative treatment waiting for skeletal maturity to occur can lead to repeat episodes of knee instability and meniscal or chondral damage and arthritis.3 Today, surgical techniques have been... You do not currently have access to this content.