Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction In Children Research Articles

Children’s orthopaedics

The April 2024 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup360 looks at: Ultrasonography or radiography for suspected paediatric distal forearm fractures?; Implant density in scoliosis: an important variable?; Gait after paediatric femoral shaft fracture treated with intramedullary nail fixation: a longitudinal prospective study; The opioid dilemma: navigating pain management for children’s bone fractures; 12- to 20-year follow-up of Dega acetabuloplasty in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip; Physeal fractures of the distal ulna: incidence and risk factors for premature growth arrest; Analysis of growth after transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children; Management of lateral condyle humeral fracture associated with elbow dislocation in children: a retrospective international multicentre cohort study.

Changes in gait patterns after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in children is indicated to reduce recurrent knee instability and further damage to the joint. Postoperative modified gait pattern was reported in the adult population after ACLR. The aim of this study was to analyse gait abnormalities, and especially knee and ankle adaptations during gait in children after ACLR. A prospective study was performed between 2018 and 2022 on 50 children, aged nine to15years with unilateral ACL deficiency. Changes in gait pattern were evaluated by gait analysis before surgery and at the latest follow-up of 24months. Kinematic data of ACL-deficient limb were compared to contralateral limb and to those of a matched control group of healthy children. Compared to control group, knee flexion was decreased for both ACL-deficient and contralateral knee before surgery. Decreased knee flexion during gait cycle persisted at latest follow-up. Ankle kinematics showed decreased dorsal flexion for both ACL-deficient and contralateral limb before surgery. At latest follow-up, ankle kinematics were modified for ACL-reconstructed limbs only at initial contact and showed no significant difference for contralateral limb compared to the control group. In children with ACL injury, abnormal gait patterns persist twoyears after ligament reconstruction, in spite of extensive rehabilitation and no clinical complaints. These findings might guide neuromuscular training to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the rerupture rate.

Analysis of Growth After Transphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children.

Pediatric transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) bears several advantages and is widely used. The main concern is the risk of growth disturbance. Our purpose was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of growth disturbance in skeletally immature patients who underwent transphyseal ACLR. We hypothesized that this procedure would generate neither clinically relevant limb length discrepancy (LLD) nor axis deviation. This prospective, consecutive, single-center series included skeletally immature patients who underwent primary transphyseal ACLR using semitendinosus tendon autograft, with a 2-year follow-up bone length standing radiograph of both lower limbs from pelvis to ankle in anterior posterior view. Lower limb length, mechanical axis deviation (MAD), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured. The definition of postoperative growth disturbance was defined as ≥10mm for LLD or ≥3 degrees for axis deviation in comparison to the contralateral lower limb. Predictive variables included age at surgery, gender, side, and diameter of bone tunnels. Student or Mann-Whitney test was used for numerical variables, and Chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Fifty consecutively treated patients were included. Forty-seven patients (31 boys, 16 girls) with a mean age of 13.2 years (range, 9 to 16) at the time of surgery were available for analysis. Six patients had an LLD of at least 10mm. Twenty-five patients had a difference in MPTA of a least 3 degrees (range, 5 to 8). Sixteen patients had a difference in LDFA of a least 3 degrees (range, 4 to 9). No patients presented with a clinical deformity or related symptoms. Regarding coronal alignment, there was no statistical difference in mechanical axis deviation, LDFA, or MPTA. Gender, side, age, and bone tunnel diameter did not influence growth disturbance. Transphyseal pediatric ACLR generated a high rate of growth disturbances (leg length discrepancy and axis deviation) although none clinically relevant. Mild proximal tibial axis deviation in patients operated on near skeletal maturity should be further investigated. Level III. Case-control study.

Do Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks Decrease Home Opioid Use Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents? The Envelope Please.

Levels of opioid misuse and addiction among children and adolescents have reached alarming proportions. Exposure to opioids after surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), which is commonly performed in young athletes, increases this risk. This study was designed to evaluate whether continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) with placement of an elastomeric reservoir ball, compared with single-shot peripheral nerve block (SPNB), would decrease the need for home opioid analgesia and improve pain control after ACLR in children and adolescents. Prospectively collected data from a consecutive cohort that underwent ACLR by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received ACLR with 72-hour CPNB were assigned to Group 1. Patients who received ACLR with SPNB were assigned to Group 2. Postoperative pain management included cryotherapy, oral acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. A prescription for 10 doses of hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5/325 mg) was provided in a sealed envelope with instructions that the prescription should only be used in the case of uncontrolled pain. Reports of no opioid use were corroborated by the unopened envelope and unfilled prescription. One hundred and ninety-six patients were enrolled in the study (SPNB=114 patients, CPNB=82 patients). Average age was 15±1.5 years (115 female). A total of 138 patients (70%) did not need home opioid analgesia after surgery. Of the 58 patients (30%) that did there were 35 (30.7%) in the SPNB group and 23 (28.0%) in the CPNB group (P=0.659). There were no differences between groups in demographics, operative data, or visual analog scale scores on any postoperative day. The findings of this study demonstrate equivalent pain control and opioid consumption in children and adolescents undergoing ACLR treated with either a CPNB or a SPNB. At-home opioid analgesia use can be negated after ACLR in 70% of children and adolescents. For the patients in this study who required opioids, average use was only 2 pills of 5 mg hydrocodone/325 mg acetaminophen, with no child using more than 10 pills. Level II-therapeutic.

Risk of reoperation after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children and adolescents

Objective To examine the incidence and risk factors of any-cause reoperation after primary ACLR in children and adolescents. Design Retrospective Cohort Setting Electronic medical records from a large tertiary care, single institution integrated healthcare delivery system. Patients Patients were under the age of 18 years and had anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. They were excluded if they had a multi-ligamentous knee injury or &lt;1 year follow-up. Interventions Patients were further identified to have undergone a subsequent knee operation ipsilaterally or contralateral ACLR. Main outcome measures The rate of any-cause reoperation was our primary outcome measure. Results The median age was 16. There were 208 females (53.9%) and 178 males (46.1%) included. The median follow-up was 25 months with a minimum of 12 months (interquartile range: 16.0, 46.0). The rate of any-cause reoperation was 34.7%. There was no statistically significant difference between those who underwent reoperation versus those who did not undergo reoperation relative to age, sex, BMI, graft type, or the presence of concomitant meniscal injury. The rates of ipsilateral ACLR and contralateral ACLR at any time during the study period was 8.0% and 10.9% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference for rate of reoperation between graft types, between various concomitant injuries, between those who underwent meniscus repair or no repair. Conclusions This study reflects a 34.7% rate of a subsequent knee operation after ACLR in patients younger than 18 years. These findings can be used to inform pediatric patients undergoing primary ACLR on their risk of returning to the operating room.

17-Year Results following Transepiphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents.

Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in childhood and adolescence is a serious injury. It is now known that conservative therapy of an unstable knee joint in childhood or adolescence under can lead to poor subjective and objective results. The aim of this study is to record long-term results after transepiphyseal ACL reconstruction using autologous hamstring tendons and extracortical fixation in childhood and adolescence with open physes - at least 15 years after surgery. Our internal registry was used to identify all patients who received surgical treatment of an acl tear during childhood and adolescence by transepiphyseal acl reconstruction more than 15 years previously. In these patients, the International Knee Documentation Committee for Subjective Knee Form (IKDCsubj.), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner Activity Score (TAS) and Lysholm Score were collected, and clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed. A total of 22 patients were identified, 5 of whom could not be contacted. The mean age at the time of surgery was 13.1 years, and the mean follow-up time was 17.4 years. In 3 patients, a traumatic tear was observed with subsequent reconstruction of the ACL. None of the included patients showed a growth disorder during the course of the study. The IKDCsubj. was 92.4 ± 14.7 (48 - 100), the Lysholm score was 87.9 ± 16.9 (34 - 100), the TAS was 5.7 ± 2.3 (3 - 9) and the pain level based on VAS was 3.5 ± 2.6 (1 - 8) points. The values showed subjective and objective deterioration compared to the 10-year results, with no statistical significance. The following subscores were reported for the KOOS: KOOSpain 90.9 ± 17.6 (28 - 100); KOOSsymptom 82.9 ± 22.6 (11 - 100); KOOOSADL 94.3 ± 13.7 (44 - 100); KOOSSport 80.3 ± 26.4 (15 - 100); KOOSQOL 80.9 ± 25.8 (0 - 100). 13 of the 17 patients could also be clinically and radiologically examined. In 92% of patients, an intact acl reconstruction was found without evidence of cartilage or meniscus damage. The mean lateral difference in the KT-1000 measurement was 1.5 mm. ACL reconstruction in childhood and adolescence provides good functionality and stability of the knee joint over the long term. Secondary signs of osteoarthritis can only be detected in isolated cases by MRI. ACL reconstruction using the transepiphyseal technique can be considered the method of choice for open growth plate knee joints.

Primary Partial Transphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children with Open Physes

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in skeletally immature patients is increasing, with ACL reconstruction preferred as it has been shown to have chondroprotective benefits in this population. Due to concerns with growth disturbances following ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients, results of various physical-sparing, partial-transphyseal, or complete-transphyseal techniques have been explored. Currently, there is no consensus on the most effective ACL reconstruction technique in skeletally immature patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of a partial-transphyseal, over-the-top (OTT) ACL reconstruction in a cohort of skeletally immature patients. All patients with radiographic evidence of open tibial and femoral physes that underwent primary ACL reconstruction using the partial-transphyseal OTT technique between 2009-2018 at a single tertiary-care institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, physical examination findings, graft ruptures, return to sport, and Tegner activity levels were analyzed. Statistical significance was defined as p <0.05. Overall, 22 males and 2 females (25 knees) with a mean age of 13.0 years (Standard Deviation [SD], 1.7 years) were included in the study. The mean postoperative follow-up was 2.1 years (SD, 1.7 years). There were four cases of ACL graft rupture (16%). All patients successfully returned to unrestricted sport at an average time of 7.3 months. Preinjury and postoperative Tegner activity levels were documented in 22 knees, of which 21/22 (95%) returned to the same or higher level. There were no documented cases of clinically significant longitudinal or angular growth disturbance. Partial transphyseal ACL reconstruction using a transphyseal tibial tunnel and an extra-articular, OTT position on the femur in skeletally immature affords minimal risk of growth disturbance with a graft rupture rate of 16% and a 95% return to sport at the same or higher level.

Outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children and adolescents: A retrospective study

BackgroundIndications and outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in children and adolescents is still controversial. It was the aim of this study to analyze outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in this special age group. MethodsRetrospectively, we analyzed 62 consecutive cases of ACL reconstruction using a physis crossing technique in six to 16-year-old patients with a mean follow-up of 69 months. ResultsCases operated later than six weeks after trauma had significantly more meniscal lesions than patients operated within six weeks of trauma. At last follow-up, we found good or very good subjective and objective results in 71% of the patients. ConclusionIn active and healthy children with anterior knee instability after ACL tear, ligament reconstruction is a safe and successful procedure and should be considered within six weeks of trauma because instability seems to promote secondary meniscal lesions.

Trends of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children and young adolescents in Italy show a constant increase in the last 15years.

The aim of this 15-year nationwide study was to investigate the trend in ACL reconstructive surgeries in patients younger than 15years old in Italy, as well as their social and economic impact. The National Hospital Discharge records (SDO) collected by the Italian Ministry of Health in the 15-year period between 2001 and 2015 were analyzed. This contains anonymous data including patients' age, gender, ICD-9-CM codes for diagnosis and intervention, census region, region of hospitalization, length of the hospitalization, and public or private reimbursement. 1,350 ACL reconstructions were performed in Italy in the population younger than 15years old, with an incidence rate ranging from 0.16 to 2.04 procedures per 100,000 age-matched individuals. Similarly, the percentage of surgeries in 0-14year old patients increased with respect to the total number of ACL reconstruction from 0.13% in 2001 to 0.95% in 2015. The age range 10-14years is the most involved, accounting for 97.3% of surgeries recorded in the study period. The male:female ratio was 1.05 and most of these procedures were performed in the North of Italy (78.3%). ACL reconstructions in patients aged 10-14years are increasing constantly since 2001, and thus, specific actions aimed to define the best management strategy as well as national educational programs to prepare the future surgeons to this new reality are mandatory in the interest of the public health. Level III.

A Practical Pre-Operative Predictive Model for Determining Hamstring Autograft Size for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents

Objectives:The most commonly used graft for pediatric and adolescent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is the hamstring autograft. Recent evidence has suggested that graft sizes less than 8 mm and age less than 20 years old are the most significant factors influencing graft failure. Additionally, studies examining the role of augmenting smaller grafts with allograft have demonstrated mixed results and potentially increased failure rates. Efforts to predict hamstring size preoperatively using MRI and ultrasound in the adult population have shown promise. However, there have been no studies in an entirely pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of MRI in determining hamstring autograft size preoperatively for pediatric ACL reconstructions.Methods:Children and adolescents from 10-20 years old that had undergone ACL reconstruction using hamstring autograft were identified from 2017-2018. Semitendinosus and gracilis cross-sectional area and diameter were measured on preoperative knee MRIs using the field of interest (FOI) and distance measurement tools. The slice used for measurement was identified as the largest section by the measuring surgeon. Two surgeons independently measured all MRIs. Preoperative demographic data (height, weight, body mass index (BMI), gender) and operative data (graft size) was collected. Data was analyzed by an independent statistician. Ordinal regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between demographic data and graft size. A Classification and Regression Tree (CART) was constructed to identify predictors for the pre-determined graft sizes of 8 mm. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis were then created to assess the performance of the predictive model and determine sensitivity and specificity. All analyses were performed using SPSS v. 24 with alpha set at p<0.05 to declare significance.Results:One hundred and ten children (54 boys, 56 girls) were included in this study with an average age of 15.93 years (range 11.81-20.22) and average BMI of 25.98 (range 16.02-40.08). CART analysis determined that if the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons were greater than 31.17 mm then 87.5% of children had graft sizes of 8 mm or greater. The ROC analysis determined the model to have an 80% sensitivity and 74% specificity for predicting a graft size of 8 mm or larger.Conclusion:A preoperative summation of the cross-sectional areas of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons greater than 31.17 mm predicts an intraoperative graft size of 8 mm or larger in 87.5% of children.Figure 1.Table 1:Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements comparing children with graft sizes less than 8 mm with those 8 mm or greater. 95% Confidence Interval Mean Lower Upper P-value Height (cm)<8162.28159.66164.908+169.02166.56171.47<0.001Weight (kg)<867.3562.2772.438+76.8871.1682.600.014BMI<825.3823.7726.998+26.5725.1228.020.274Age (years)<815.8915.3916.388+15.9715.5716.370.793Semitendinosus<815.8314.8616.81 Cross-sectional Area8+19.1518.1420.16<0.001Semitendinosus Diameter<84.824.664.99 (Anteroposterior)8+5.174.975.370.009Semitendinosus Diameter<84.023.844.21 (Medial/lateral)8+4.494.334.65<0.001Gracillis<89.849.2210.46 Cross-sectional Area8+11.3310.6811.980.001Gracillis Diameter<84.224.094.36 (Anteroposterior)8+4.584.364.800.01Gracillis Diameter<82.872.752.99 (Medial/lateral)8+3.102.973.220.013Semitendinosus + Gracillis<825.6724.3227.02 Cross-sectional Area8+30.4829.0331.93<0.001Diameter Sum<815.9415.5516.338+17.3316.9017.77<0.001

Day surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children: A prospective study on feasibility and satisfaction

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of day surgery anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in children. Our hypothesis was that proper patient selection, adequate information and a streamlined clinical pathway would allow for a safe and satisfactory procedure.MethodsA total of 20 patients, seven girls and 13 boys, who underwent outpatient ACLR at mean age of 14 years (8 to 16) were included in this single institution prospective case series. Surgery took place under simple general anesthesia while analgesia protocol combined local anesthesia, oral analgesics for the postoperative period and compressive cryotherapy. The main failure criterion was the inability to return home the day of surgery or the need for rehospitalization during the first week after discharge. Secondary evaluation parameters were the rate of postoperative complications, postoperative pain, quality of life (QOL) and patients’ satisfaction outcome questionnaire (PSOQ) at postoperative day 1, 7 and 31.ResultsOf the 20 patients included, only one failed the ambulatory mode. The mean PSOQ score was, respectively for children and parents, 91.4% and 90.7% at day 7 and 94.6% and 95.7% at one month. Postoperative QOL at day 7 was very satisfying for all patients. Two minor early complications were reported. Both of the late complications, which included one partial wound dehiscence and one persistent knee swelling, resolved spontaneously.ConclusionThis study indicates that, in a targeted and well-informed population, day surgery for children ACLR yields high level of patient and family satisfaction in a safely manner.Level of evidenceIV, prospective case series.

Return to sport and re-tears after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children and adolescents

BackgroundThe primary objective of this study was to determine the time to and level of return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in children and adolescents. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the risk of early ACL re-tear after return to sports and the risk of ACL tear in the contralateral knee. HypothesisThe time to return to sports in young patients is considerably longer than in adults. MethodsA prospective multicentre study was conducted at 12 centres specialised in knee ligament surgery, in children and adolescents younger than 18 years, between 1 January 2015 and 31 October 2015. The patients were divided into a paediatric group with open physes and a skeletally mature group with closed physes. We recorded the time to return to sport, the type of sport resumed, and the occurrence of early re-tears on the same side. A poor outcome was defined as a re-tear or an objective IKDC score of C or D. A contralateral ACL tear was not considered a poor outcome. ResultsOf 278 included patients, 100 had open physes and 178 closed physes. In the open physes group, return to running occurred after 10.4±4.7 months, return to pivoting/contact sport training after 13.1±3.9 months, and return to pivoting/contact sport competitions after 13.8±3.8 months. Of the 100 patients, 80% returned to the same sport and 63.5% to pivoting/contact sport competitions. Re-tears occurred in 9% of patients, after 11.8±4.1 months, and contralateral tears in 6% of patients, after 17.2±4.4 months. In all, 19.4% of patients had a poor outcome, including 10.4% with an IKDC score of C or D and 9% with re-tears. In the group with closed physes, return to running occurred after 8.8±5.1 months, return to pivoting/contact sport training after 11.7±4.7 months, and return to pivoting/contact sport competitions after 12.3±4.2 months. Of the 178 patients, 76.9% returned to the same sport and 55.6% to pivoting/contact sport competitions. The re-tear rate was only 2.8% and the contralateral tear rate 5%. In all, 14.7% of patients had poor outcome, including 11.9% with an IKDC score of C or D and 2.8% with re-tears. No risk factors for re-tears were identified; the quadruple-bundle semitendinosus technique showed a non-significant association with re-tears. ConclusionIn young children, the return to sport time after ACL reconstruction is considerably longer than 1 year and the return to competitions occurs later and is more difficult. The results of this study indicate that reservations are in order when informing the family about return to sports prospects after ACL reconstruction. The return to pivoting/contact sport competitions should not be allowed until 14 months after surgery in young skeletally immature patients, and the risk of re-injury is high within the first 2 years. Level of evidenceIV, retrospective study.

Predictors of Subsequent Injury After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents

Objectives:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft failure and contralateral ACL tears are more frequent in children/adolescents than adults. These re-injuries result in significant time lost from sport, and may contribute to worse long-term outcomes and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The reasons for higher subsequent injury rates in this unique population are incompletely understood.Methods:We analyzed a single center continuous cohort of patients under the age of eighteen years. Subjects underwent primary ACL reconstruction between 2006 and 2014 with minimum 2-year follow up. Age, sex, graft type, duration of physical therapy, time to return to sport, and length of follow-up were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression modeling to assess their contribution to the risk of subsequent ACL injury.Results:A total of 109 subjects met all study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eighty-two subjects (75%) had follow-up data and were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 14 +/- 1.9 years (range 8 - 17 years). Mean follow-up was 47.7 +/- 15.6 months (range 28 - 91 months). Seventeen patients (20.7%) sustained an ACL graft rupture, eleven patients (13.4%) sustained a contralateral ACL tear, and one patient (1.2%) sustained both. The combined subsequent injury incidence was 35.4% (29 of 82 subjects). The odds of subsequent ACL injury decreased by 0.29 for every yearly increase in age (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53 - 0.92, p = 0.008), and decreased by 0.16 for every monthly increase in time to return to sport (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.69 - 0.99, p = 0.048). Sex, graft type, duration of physical therapy, sport, and length of follow up did not have a statistically significant impact on the rate of subsequent ACL injury (p > 0.05).Conclusion:Subsequent ACL injuries (ipsilateral or contralateral) are common after primary ACL reconstruction in children and adolescents (combined incidence 35%). Within this high-risk population, younger age and an earlier return to sport portend a higher risk of a second injury.

Outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children under 14 years old or younger.

Outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children under 14 years old or younger.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children with open growth plates

Introduction. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are observed in 10%–32% of all traumatic lesions of the knee joint in children. Open growth plates are a serious problem in the treatment of ACL tears. Most modern methods of ACL reconstruction use transepiphyseal channels, which go through the growth plates. This may lead to angle deformity of the knee development, limb shortening and early arthritis.Material and methods. We observed 12 patients (11–17 years old; mean age, 13.2 years) with ACL tears with opened growth plates, who were operated on between 2006 and 2010. ACL reconstruction was performed arthroscopically using the BTB-technique and synthetic grafts DONA-M.Results. In all cases, we achieved poor results, especially when the operation was done by BTB. We avoided shortening of the leg, but arthritis was common and progressed quickly. When we tried stabilize the joint, we achieved the reverse effect – pain in the knee, with a decreased quality of life.Conclusion. Our results demonstrate that ACL reconstruction in children with opened growth pates is not effective; we suggest performing the procedure after the growth has finished.

Zhodnocení souboru pacientů po náhradě předního zkříženého vazu v dětském a adolescentním věku

Zhodnocení souboru pacientů po náhradě předního zkříženého vazu v dětském a adolescentním věku

Mid-term results of transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children and adolescents

BackgroundOptimal therapy for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in the paediatric population still provokes controversy. Although conservative and operative treatments are both applied, operative therapy is slightly favored. Among available surgical techniques are physeal-sparing reconstruction and transphyseal graft fixation. The aim of this study was to present our mid-term results after transphyseal ACL reconstruction. MethodsFifteen young patients (mean age=12.8±2.6, range=6.2–15.8years, Tanner stage=2–4) with open physis and traumatic anterior cruciate rupture who had undergone transphyseal ACL reconstruction with unilateral quadriceps tendon graft were prospectively analyzed. All children were submitted to radiological evaluation to determine the presence of clearly open growth plates in both the distal femur and proximal tibia. Postoperatively, all patients were treated according to a standardized rehabilitation protocol and evaluated by radiographic analysis and the Lysholm–Gillquist and IKDC 2000 scores. Their health-related quality of life was measured using the SF-12 PCS (physical component summary) and MCS (mental component summary) questionnaires. ResultsMean postoperative follow-up was 4.1years. Mean Lysholm–Gillquist score was 94.0. Thirteen of the 15 knees were considered nearly normal on the IKDC 2000 score. The mean SF-12 questionnaire score was 54.0±4.8 for SF-12 PCS and 59.1±3.7 for SF-12 MCS. No reruptures were observed. Radiological analysis detected one knee with valgus deformity. All patients had a normal gait pattern without restrictions. ConclusionTransphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament shows satisfactory mid-term results in the immature patient.

Arthrofibrosis After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents

Arthrofibrosis is a known complication after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. ACL reconstruction is being performed with increased frequency in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of arthrofibrosis in children and adolescents and to identify risk factors for arthrofibrosis. The study design was a retrospective case series. Medical records for 1016 consecutive ACL reconstructions in patients aged 7 to 18 years old between 1995 to 2008 at a major tertiary care children's hospital were reviewed to identify cases of postoperative arthrofibrosis. Arthrofibrosis was defined as a loss of 5 degrees or more extension compared with the contralateral knee that required a follow-up procedure or a loss of 15 degrees or more flexion compared with the contralateral knee that required a follow-up procedure. Patient data were recorded and analyzed using bivariate models to identify predictors for arthrofibrosis. Further, we reviewed the clinical course of patients with treated arthrofibrosis to assess functional outcomes of this complication. Nine hundred two patients with 933 knees met the inclusion criteria for this study, of which 60% were female. The mean age at the time of surgery was 15 years (range, 7 to 18 y), and the average follow-up from original ACL reconstruction was 6.3 years (range, 1.6 to 14.2 y). The overall prevalence of arthrofibrosis in our cohort was 8.3%, with 77 of the 933 knees had at least 1 procedure to treat arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction. Risk factors for arthrofibrosis were female sex (11.1% females, P = 0.0001), patients aged 16 to 18 years [11.6%; odds ratio (OR) 3.51; P = 0 .007], patellar tendon autograft (OR, 1.7; P = 0.026), and concomitant meniscal repair (OR, 2.08; P = 0.007). Prior knee surgery and ACL reconstruction within 1 month of injury were not significantly associated with arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction. Fifty-three patients had a minimum of 6 months clinical follow-up after the procedure for arthrofibrosis. Of these, 46 patients (86.8%) had full range of motion at follow-up. Thirty-two patients (60.4%) were asymptomatic at final follow-up. Eleven patients (20.8%) complained of some persistent pain. The rate of arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction in children and adolescents is 8.3%. Risk factors for arthrofibrosis are female sex, older adolescents, concurrent meniscal repair, and reconstruction with patellar tendon autograft. Surgical treatment for arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction in pediatric patients can satisfactorily regain motion in the reconstructed knee; however functional outcome may be compromised. Level 4.

Valgus and flexion deformity after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in a skeletally immature patient

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children with open physes is still a topic of debate. We report a unique case of growth disturbance in valgus and flexion of the distal femoral epiphysis, after an ACL reconstruction in a 14.5-year-old boy. The Clocheville technique using the patellar tendon was performed. The femoral tunnel and tibial groove were both positioned above the growth plates. Eighteen months after ACL reconstruction, the patient had to be re-operated on for a valgus and flexion deformity of the femoral epiphysis. The clinical, radiological and aesthetic results were satisfactory. The angular deformity was caused by the fact that either the femoral tunnel was too close to the posterolateral femoral growth plate or an excessive eccentric traction of the graft in relation to the central point of the knee.

Volumetric Injury of the Physis During Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children: A 3-Dimensional Study Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

To determine the volume of injury to the physis during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in pediatric patients. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of 10 pediatric knees were converted into 3-dimensional models. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing software placed drill holes (6, 7, 8, and 9 mm in diameter) in these models, simulating tunnels used for ACL reconstruction. The software was used to calculate total physeal volume and volume of physis removed by the tunnel. The ratio of physeal volume removed to the total physeal volume was determined. For 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-mm-diameter drill holes, the mean percent of physeal volume removed/total physeal volume was 1.6%, 2.2%, 2.9%, and 3.8%, respectively, for the tibia and 2.4%, 3.2%, 4.2%, and 5.4%, respectively, for the femur. For all subjects, the volume removed was less than 7.0% for the tibia and 9.0% for the femur by use of drill holes from 6 to 9 mm. The tibial drill hole was centrally placed in all cases compared with a more peripheral drill hole placement of the femur. Drill hole placement during ACL reconstruction produces a zone of physeal injury. The overall volume of injury is relatively low, which reduces the risk of physeal arrest. With careful drill hole placement, the region of injury is central on the tibia, and the total volume of injury can be less than 5.0% of the physeal volume. For the femur, the total volume can be less than 5.0% as well. However, the region of injury is peripheral, which carries a higher risk of physeal arrest. A better understanding of the relation between the ACL and physis may guide the placement of drill holes, which have a lower risk of producing physeal arrest.