Knee Surg Relat Res.  2012 Sep;24(3):173-179. 10.5792/ksrr.2012.24.3.173.

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

• Kim SJ
• Shim DW
• Park KW

• KMID: 2297846
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5792/ksrr.2012.24.3.173

Abstract

PURPOSE
In 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 METHODS
On 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.
RESULTS
All 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.
CONCLUSIONS
Our 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.

Keyword

Anterior cruciate ligament; Skeletally immature; Adolescent

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Congenital Abnormalities
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Knee
Knee Joint
Leg
Retrospective Studies