Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft in young football players

Abstract

Background Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in young athletes are becoming more common. Surgical intervention seems to be more satisfactory than conservative treatment by bracing and lifestyle modification. Aim of the study This study aimed at evaluation of the functional results of transphyseal ACL reconstruction performed in skeletally immature football players using a four-strand hamstring graft. Patients and methods The study was performed between 2004 and 2009 in Suez Canal University Hospital. Twenty-two young football players were included. All patients included were boys younger than 17 years of age with radiographic evidence of open physis. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiologic assessment, and were rated preoperatively and postoperatively on the basis of the Lysholm score. Results There were significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative Lysholm scores. During the end of the follow-up period, none of the patients scored fair or poor. At final follow-up visit, 20 patients (91%) were negative for the anterior drawer test. Only two patients (9%) had persistent mild knee swelling until the sixth month postoperatively, and this improved at the end of follow-up. Neither growth disturbance nor limb length discrepancy was detected at final follow-up visit. All patients returned to play football. Conclusion The results of this study concluded that early reconstruction of ACL using a four-strand hamstring autograft is an effective and safe procedure in skeletally immature football players with rupture ACL.