Transphyseal Tunnel Research Articles

ACL Repair of Femoral Osseous Avulsion in a 13-Year-Old Using Suture Pullout Technique

Background: The incidence of pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries has been increasing over the past 20 years, with the majority comprised of mid substance tears or tibial eminence avulsion fractures. Pediatric femoral sided osseous avulsion is rarely reported in orthopedic literature and specific surgical indications and contraindications, as well as recommended surgical techniques and postoperative rehabilitation protocols, are underdefined. Indications: The surgical indications for femoral-sided repair of ACL osseous avulsion includes a displaced osseous fragment and ligamentous laxity on physical examination. There was no concomitant midsubstance tear necessitating reconstruction. Technique Description: Two sutures piercing the proximal ligamentous bony junction of the ACL were fed through 2.4-mm transphyseal tunnels and secured with cortical button and backup fixation with a 3.9-mm swivel lock anchor in the proximal lateral femoral metaphysis. The patient was immobilized in a hinged-knee brace locked in extension during ambulation and limited to 90 degrees of flexion while nonweightbearing for the first 6 weeks after surgery. Standard ACL protocol was followed thereafter. Results: Successful fixation and restoration of ligamentous tension and impingement-free range of motion were achieved without complication. There was stable Lachman, negative pivot shift, 125 degrees of knee flexion, and evidence of early healing at 3 months follow-up. Discussion/Conclusion: This report demonstrates successful reduction and fixation of proximal bony avulsion of the ACL. Although this patient exhibits stable physical examination and undisturbed growth at early follow-up, more research is required to establish treatment and rehabilitation guidelines for this rare injury.

Paediatric anterior cruciate ligament tears: management and growth disturbances. A survey of EPOS and POSNA membership.

PurposeThe therapeutic algorithm of paediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears remains controversial. The primary aim of the study was to describe variations in practice patterns among European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society (EPOS) and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) members with respect to management of ACL tears in skeletally immature patients. The secondary objective was to determine the number, type and severity of growth disturbances associated with ACL reconstruction (ACLR).MethodsAn email invitation to complete a 52-question survey was sent to all members of POSNA and EPOS. Data were collected automatically. Descriptive statistics were applied.ResultsIn all, 305 (25.4%) surgeon members responded. Only 182 (60%) of the participants treated ACL injuries in skeletally immature patients and completed the survey. A total of 17% of EPOS and 70% of POSNA members recommended ACLR within three months for a prepubescent paediatric ACL tear. In total, 61% of POSNA and 83% of EPOS members recommended ACLR within three months for a pubescent paediatric ACL tear. Epiphyseal tunnels were the preferred technique in prepubescent children (43% at the tibia and 49% at the femur), while transphyseal tunnels were recommended preferentially in pubescent children (85% at the tibia and 63% at the femur). In all, 5.5% of participants reported growth disturbances after ACLR.ConclusionCurrent practice patterns across the Atlantic remain varied and controversial. Consensus remains elusive; as such, research collaboration among societies will be important to develop an evidence-based treatment algorithm. The use of transphyseal tunnels has been reinforced. The number of cases of significant growth disturbance is minimal, yet worrisome.Level of EvidenceII

Anterior cruciate ligament tears in children: Management and growth disturbances. A survey of French Arthroscopy Society members

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are becoming more common and occurring at earlier ages in the paediatric population. The surgical indications and the optimal time for surgery, technique, and graft type remain controversial in skeletally immature patients. Growth disturbances have been reported after ACL reconstruction, further complicating treatment decisions. The primary objective of this study was to describe current practices of French Arthroscopy Society (Société Francophone d’Arthroscopie, SFA) members regarding ACL tear management in skeletally immature patients. The secondary objectives were to determine the incidence, type, and severity of growth disturbances after ACL reconstruction. HypothesisRecent publications support early surgical reconstruction and the further development of transphyseal techniques, even in pre-pubertal patients. Material and methodsAn email invitation to complete a 52-item questionnaire was sent to all SFA members. Participation was voluntary and replies were kept confidential. The data were collected automatically via the SurveyMonkey® tool. Descriptive statistics were computed. ResultsOf 1280 invited SFA members, 142 replied, yielding a participation rate of 11%. Among respondents, 14% recommended ACL reconstruction within 3 months for pre-pubertal patients, compared to 35% for pubertal paediatric patients. The preferred tibial tunnel was transphyseal for both pre-pubertal patients (44.4% of respondents) and pubertal patients (97.7% of respondents). The preferred femoral tunnel was epiphyseal for pre-pubertal patients (62.2% of respondents) and transphyseal for pubertal patients (55.5% of respondents). Growth disturbances after ACL reconstruction were reported by 7% of respondents. ConclusionNo consensus exists to date about the surgical management of ACL tears in skeletally immature patients. Transphyseal tunnels are gaining in popularity, even for pre-pubertal children. Reports of significant growth disturbances, although relatively rare, warrant the implementation of technical precautions. Level of evidenceIV, descriptive epidemiological survey.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Adolescents With Open Physes

We read the article presented by Redler et al., “Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients With Transphyseal Tunnels,” in the November 2012 issue of Arthroscopy with great interest.1 It is a real challenge to deal with ACL tears in young patients who have open physes. Although the authors clearly explained the evaluation and treatment of the patients in the study, there are some points that seem to be dealt with inadequately.

Functional Outcome of Transphyseal Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Skeletally Immature Patients

PurposeIn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, conventional adult reconstruction techniques have to face the potential risk of growth disturbance or angular deformities in skeletally immature patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of ACL reconstruction by conventional transphyseal tunnel technique.Materials and MethodsOn a retrospective basis, we reviewed 25 skeletally immature patients; all the patients showed skeletal maturity at last follow-up, and the mean age was 16.4 years. The average injury to surgery interval was 12.6 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed at a mean of 74.4 months postoperatively using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, the Tegner activity level, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and plain radiographs.ResultsAll the patients had undergone transphyseal reconstruction of ACL. The mean Lysholm score was 48.36 points preoperatively and 93.32 points postoperatively; the mean Tegner activity level was changed from 3.0 points to 5.6 points. The mean IKDC level was categorized as C preoperatively and changed to A postoperatively.ConclusionsOur midterm outcome at an average 6 years after surgery was satisfactory without significant leg length discrepancies or abnormal alignment of the knee joint. Transphyseal reconstruction of ACL is a good treatment modality in the skeletally immature patient.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients With Transphyseal Tunnels

Our purpose was to evaluate the results of transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring autograft in skeletally immature patients. Eighteen knees in 18 skeletally immature pubescent patients with a mean chronologic age of 14.2 years underwent transphyseal ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft between 2002 and 2007. Concurrent meniscal surgery was performed in 9 knees. The final patient evaluation occurred at a mean of 43.4 months (range, 24.0 to 86.6 months) and included physical examination, KT-1000 arthrometry testing (MEDmetric, San Diego, CA), and functional outcome instruments, including the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form, the Lysholm knee score, and the Tegner knee activity scale. At the latest follow-up, the mean International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee score was 92.4 ± 10, the mean Lysholm knee score was 94.3 ± 8.8, and the mean Tegner activity scale score was 8.5 ± 1.4. Lachman and pivot-shift testing were negative in all knees. No restriction in knee range of motion of 5° or greater when compared with the contralateral knee was observed in any patient. The mean manual maximum side-to-side difference with KT-1000 testing was 0.29 ± 1.07 mm, and no patients had a difference greater than 3 mm. No angular deformities were noted, and all leg-length measurements were symmetric bilaterally on clinical examination. No patients had traumatic graft disruption or underwent revision ACL reconstruction, whereas 3 patients sustained an ACL injury in the contralateral leg while participating in sports. Transphyseal ACL reconstruction with autogenous quadrupled hamstring graft with metaphyseal fixation in skeletally immature pubescent patients yielded excellent functional outcomes in a high percentage of patients without perceived clinical growth disturbance. Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Distal Femoral Physeal Implications of an Anatomic ACL Reconstruction in a Skeletally Immature Soccer Player

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasing in frequency in skeletally immature patients1. A nonoperative treatment approach places the meniscus and articular cartilage at risk for future injury because of the ongoing knee instability2,3. Consequently, a variety of techniques have been developed to reconstruct the ACL in patients with open physes, thereby restoring joint stability and reducing the risk of iatrogenic growth disturbance1-13. Kocher et al. and Guzzanti et al. have quantified the amount of injury the physis can tolerate during ACL reconstruction before a growth disturbance is likely. This is often referred to as the “threshold of physeal injury,” and is thought to be approximately 6% to 7% of the total area of the physis1,4-6. Additional precautions include avoiding any form of graft fixation that crosses the physis, using soft-tissue grafts when possible, and limiting the tensioning of grafts that cross the physis1,4,7. In addition, any transphyseal tunnel should be located centrally, with a small diameter, to minimize the volumetric injury to the physis1,4,7. Anatomic ACL reconstruction, with placement of tunnels in the center of the femoral and tibial footprints, has become a popular method of ACL reconstruction14,15. Advocates of this technique emphasize improvements in rotational stability as well as elimination of anterior translation of the tibia. A variety of techniques for anatomic ACL reconstruction have been published, including the use of an accessory medial portal to create the appropriate trajectory for reaming of the femoral tunnel8,9. Although well described in adults, this technique has not been evaluated in the skeletally immature population. We present the case of a fifteen-year-old male soccer player …

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the Skeletally Immature

Anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has proven to be a reliable method to restore knee stability. However, the risk of physeal arrest with transphyseal tunnel placement in skeletally immature patients has raised concern regarding this technique. Conservative nonoperative management also has its limitations resulting in meniscal and chondral damage that may lead to degenerative joint disease and poor return to sport. Researchers have used animal models to study the threshold of physeal damage producing growth deformity. The purpose of this study was to examine the distal femoral and proximal tibial physes and determine the damage produced by drilling transphyseal tunnels. In addition, we attempted to find a reproducible angle at which to drill the tibial tunnel for safe interference screw placement. To do this, we used a custom software module. A custom software package designed by our team was used: Module for Adolescent ACL Reconstructive Surgery (MAARS). This module created a 3-dimensional model of the distal femur and proximal tibia. The data required for MAARS were sagittal and coronal T1 magnetic resonance imagings of at least 1.5 T. Thirty-one knee magnetic resonance imaging studies from patients aged 10 to 15 years old were used. The physes were segmented out to obtain volumetric measurements. Transphyseal tunnels were simulated based on the anatomic trajectory of the native ACL. The module calculated volume of physis was removed with the use of an 8-mm tunnel and the optimum angle for trajectory. Average volume of the tibial and femoral physis was 12,683.1 microL and 14,708.3 microL, respectively. The volume increased linearly with age. Average volume removed from the tibial and femoral physis was 318.4 microL and 306.29 microL, respectively. This represented 2.4% of the distal femoral physis and 2.5% of the proximal tibial physis. The volume percent removed decreased linearly with age.Manipulation of the variables demonstrates graft radius is the most critical parameter affecting the volume of physeal injury. Variation of graft diameter from 6 mm to 11 mm will increase volume percent removed from 2.3% to 7.8%, which averages 1.1% for every 1 mm increase. Increasing tunnel drill angle from 45 degrees to 70 degrees will decrease volume percent removed from 4.1% to 3.1% which averages 0.2% removed for each 5 degrees increase in drill angle. The average angle to maintain a distance of 20 mm from the proximal tibial physis was 65 degrees with a range of 40 degrees to 85 degrees. Less than 3% injury occurs when drilling an 8-mm tunnel across the physis. A vertical tunnel has minimal effect, but the tunnel diameter is critical. Interference screws can be placed safely to avoid the physis but requires careful planning. The MAARS module may be helpful in preoperative planning. Diagnostic, level IV.

Transphyseal Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Using Hamstring Autograft in Skeletally Immature Adolescents

Eleven skeletally immature adolescents underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a transphyseal tibial and femoral tunnel. An autologous quadrupled hamstring tendon was used in all cases and the average follow-up was 77.7 months. Clinical results were evaluated using Lysholm knee scores and a return to pre-injury sports activities. Radiological results were evaluated using side-to-side differences of instrumented laxities and growth disturbances compared with the uninjured side on final follow-up orthoroentgenograms. The mean Lysholm score was 97.8 (range 94-100) and mean side-to-side laxity difference was 2.4 mm (range 1-4). Ten of 11 patients returned to pre-injury sports activity. No patient had a leg length discrepancy of over 1 cm or a significant abnormal angular deformity of the knee joint. Therefore, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the transphyseal tunnel and hamstring autograft in skeletally immature adolescents is believed to be a reliable treatment method, which is not associated with significant leg length discrepancy or abnormal angular deformity of the knee joint.

The natural history and treatment of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in children and adolescents

A total of 60 children and adolescents with rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was seen between 1980 and 1990. Observation of the 23 patients who were treated conservatively revealed that the natural history of the injury resulted in severe instability and poor function of the knee. Associated meniscal tears were present in 15 knees. Three osteochondral fractures occurred and osteoarthritic changes developed in ten knees. In 1990 therefore we introduced reconstruction of the ACL with a four-strand hamstring graft using an anatomical placement with transphyseal tunnels and anchorage well away from the growth plate. Over a period of nine years, 47 knees underwent reconstruction. The mean follow-up was 49 months (12 to 96). No child suffered physeal damage or leg-length discrepancy. The results were satisfactory in 77% and there was little difference between patients treated before the adolescent growth spurt and those treated during or after this time. These results, however, were not as good as those seen in adults during the same period.

The natural history and treatment of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in children and adolescents. A prospective review.

A total of 60 children and adolescents with rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was seen between 1980 and 1990. Observation of the 23 patients who were treated conservatively revealed that the natural history of the injury resulted in severe instability and poor function of the knee. Associated meniscal tears were present in 15 knees. Three osteochondral fractures occurred and osteoarthritic changes developed in ten knees. In 1990 therefore we introduced reconstruction of the ACL with a four-strand hamstring graft using an anatomical placement with transphyseal tunnels and anchorage well away from the growth plate. Over a period of nine years, 47 knees underwent reconstruction. The mean follow-up was 49 months (12 to 96). No child suffered physeal damage or leg-length discrepancy. The results were satisfactory in 77% and there was little difference between patients treated before the adolescent growth spurt and those treated during or after this time. These results, however, were not as good as those seen in adults during the same period.

Management of complete traumatic anterior cruciate ligament tears in the skeletally immature patient: Current concepts and review of the literature

Once considered extremely rare, complete traumatic tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in skeletally immature patients with open physes are now being diagnosed with increasing frequency. Concomitant subsequent meniscal injuries develop in a significant number of these patients. Nonoperative treatment, primary surgical repair of the torn ACL, or extraarticular stabilization procedures have not been reported to restore dynamic knee stability or prevent further meniscal damage. Transphyseal bone plugs from a patellar tendon graft fixed with suture or interference screws have not been reported in patients with significant growth potential and cannot be recommended. Soft-tissue autografts placed through transphyseal tunnels have been reported to give good functional results and minimize potential for growth disturbance.