Intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon allograft in the skeletally immature patient.
OBJECTIVE
Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are becoming more prevalent in the skeletally immature patient. We report our results with intra-articular transphyseal ACL reconstruction in this patient population.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis.


METHODS
Ten skeletally immature athletes underwent transphyseal intra-articular ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon allograft. The patients ranged from 9 to 15 years of age. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scoring systems, follow-up radiographs, clinical examination, and KT-1000 testing.


RESULTS
Mean follow-up was 40 months. The average Lysholm score was 95, and 9 of 10 patients reported normal or nearly normal knee function. There was no clinical or objective evidence of instability, limb-length discrepancy, or early physeal arrest. Nine of 10 patients returned to their preinjury level of athletics.


CONCLUSIONS
Skeletally immature athletes with symptomatic complete ACL tears who do not want to modify their athletic activity may benefit from intra-articular ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon allografts. Special attention to bone plug and interference screw placement will reduce the risk of early physeal arrest.
D000293:Adolescent; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000254:growth & development*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome