title: Functional outcome of transphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong-Woo
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Kwang-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Park