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Bixby EC, Heyworth BE. Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in Skeletally Immature Patients. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2024; 17:258-272. [PMID: 38639870 PMCID: PMC11156825 DOI: 10.1007/s12178-024-09897-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Anterior cruciate ligament (ALC) tears are increasingly common in skeletally immature patients, as more children and adolescents participate in intensive sports training and specialization at increasingly younger ages. These injuries were historically treated nonoperatively, given concerns for physeal damage and subsequent growth disturbances after traditional ACL reconstruction techniques. However, there is now sufficient data to suggest superior outcomes with operative treatment, specifically with physeal-sparing and physeal-respecting techniques. This article reviews considerations of skeletal maturity in patients with ACL tears, then discusses surgical techniques, with a focus on their unique indications and outcomes. Additional surgical adjuncts and components of postoperative rehabilitation, which may reduce retear rates, are also considered. RECENT FINDINGS Current research shows favorable patient-reported outcomes and high return-to-sport rates after ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. Graft rupture (ACL retear) rates are low, but notably higher than in most adult populations. Historically, there has been insufficient research to comprehensively compare reconstruction techniques used in this patient population. However, thoughtful systematic reviews and multicenter prospective studies are emerging to address this deficit. Also, more recent data suggests the addition of lateral extra-articular procedures and stringent return-to-sports testing may lower retear rates. Physeal-sparing and physeal-respecting ACL reconstructions result in stabilization of the knee, while respecting the growth remaining in children or skeletally immature adolescents. Future research will be essential to compare these techniques, given that more than one may be appropriate for patients of a specific age and skeletal maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise C Bixby
- Department of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Benton E Heyworth
- Department of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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Bonasia DE, Amendola A, Rosso F, Rossi R. Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Over-the-Top Femoral Position and All-Epiphyseal Tibial Tunnel. Arthrosc Tech 2024; 13:102903. [PMID: 38690338 PMCID: PMC11056650 DOI: 10.1016/j.eats.2023.102903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In pediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, many factors should be considered: (1) risk of growth disturbance; (2) high risk of re-tear; (3) determination of the skeletal age, which is sometimes challenging; and (4) no single technique indicated for all patients. The choice of the technique mostly depends on the patients' age and growth potential. Whereas prepubescent patients can be safely treated with physeal sparing techniques (i.e., the Kocher-Micheli technique or its modifications), in postpubescent patients physeal respecting or adult-type reconstructions are generally indicated. In pubescent patients, both all-inside all-epiphyseal and partial transphyseal techniques can be safely performed, but these are not without shortcomings. With the goal of overcoming some of the drawbacks of the existing techniques, the authors describe this technical note. The technique entails an over-the-top femoral position of a 6-strand hamstring graft and an all-epiphyseal tibial tunnel. The femoral physis is completely preserved, and only a 4.5 mm transphyseal tunnel is drilled in the tibia with an all-epiphyseal tibial half socket. With this technique, the graft diameter is adequate, there is no need for fluoroscopy, no risk of graft/tunnel mismatch, and a modified Arnold-Coker lateral tenodesis can be associated via the same lateral incision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Edoardo Bonasia
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, AO Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Annunziato Amendola
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A
| | - Federica Rosso
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, AO Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Roberto Rossi
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, AO Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Marx RG, Hsu J, Fink C, Eriksson K, Vincent A, van der Merwe WM. Graft choices for paediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: State of the art. J ISAKOS 2023; 8:145-152. [PMID: 36646171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jisako.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The paediatric population is at particularly high risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries due to high rates of sports participation. Other risk factors for ACL injuries in children include but are not limited to being female, generalised ligamentous laxity, a high body mass index (BMI), and poor neuromuscular control. ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is commonly done to treat ACL injuries and allow for return to sports and daily activities. ACL repair is another option with ongoing techniques being developed. The high rates of graft failure in children reported in recent publications on ACL repair are very concerning. Special consideration must be taken in ACLR in the skeletally immature patient due to the risk of growth-related complications, such as limb deformity or growth arrest, that can arise from drilling across or disrupting the physis. Graft choices for paediatric ACLR include iliotibial band (ITB) over the top and over the front, hamstring autograft, bone patellar tendon bone (BTB) autograft, quadriceps tendon autograft, and allograft. Factors for each graft choice to consider include graft size, graft failure rates, donor site morbidity, requirement for bony tunnels, the post-op rehabilitation process, and return to sport outcomes. Each graft has its benefits and disadvantages for the individual patient, depending on age, skeletal maturity, and goals for recovery. Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) is another option to consider with paediatric ACLR because LET has been shown to decrease the re-rupture rate in adult ACLR. After surgery, patient follow-up until at least the growth plates are closed is important. This article aims to provide an overview and comparison of the various graft types to aid in the graft choice decision making process for paediatric ACLR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Marx
- Sports Medicine Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, 10021, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, 10021, USA.
| | - Janet Hsu
- Sports Medicine Institute, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, 10021, USA
| | - Christian Fink
- Gelenkpunkt-Sports and Joint Surgery, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria; Research Unit for Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Injury Prevention (OSMI), UMIT, Hall in Tirol, 6060, Austria
| | - Karl Eriksson
- Orthopaedic Surgery, Stockholm South Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
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Tang C, Kwaees TA, Accadbled F, Turati M, Green DW, Nicolaou N. Surgical techniques in the management of pediatric anterior cruciate ligament tears: Current concepts. J Child Orthop 2023; 17:12-21. [PMID: 36755552 PMCID: PMC9900020 DOI: 10.1177/18632521221149059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Anterior cruciate ligament injury in the child and adolescent patient remains a controversial topic when considering management, especially regarding surgical choices. Treatment variations are seen not just when comparing different countries but also within nations. This arises partly as contemporary treatment is mostly inferred from the adult population who physiologically and in terms of outcomes differ significantly from children. There is an increasing body of evidence for this cohort of patients who have specific challenges and difficulties when determining the optimum treatment. Methods Within this article, we will summarize the current evidence for surgical management of anterior cruciate ligament injury for the pediatric patient. Results and Conclusions There remain many controversies and gaps inthe treatment of Paediatric Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and this high risk cohort continues to cause difficulty in identifying the best mode of surgical management. Level of evidence level IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Tang
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tariq Adam Kwaees
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Franck Accadbled
- Department of Orthopaedics, Children’s Hospital, CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Marco Turati
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Transalpine Center of Pediatric Sports Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Orthopedic Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
- Department of Paediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Couple Enfant, Grenoble Alpes University, Grenoble, France
| | - Daniel W Green
- Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Nicolaou
- Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
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Baxter T, Majumdar A, Heyworth BE. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Procedures Using the Iliotibial Band Autograft. Clin Sports Med 2022; 41:549-567. [PMID: 36210158 DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The Micheli anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) procedure is a combined intra-articular and extra-articular knee stabilization technique that combines lateral augmentation with ACL reconstruction using the iliotibial band as an autograft for both aspects of the technique. Its primary indication is for ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients with more than 2 years of growth remaining. Studies have shown it to be effective at restoring knee biomechanics to have minimal risk of complications, including those associated with growth disturbances and a relatively low ACL graft rupture rate. Additional studies are needed to better understand the potential utilization of this technique and related modifications in the marginally skeletally immature patient, skeletally mature adolescent, adult, and revision ACL reconstruction settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Baxter
- Sports Medicine Division, Boston Children's Hospital, 319 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aditi Majumdar
- Sports Medicine, Children's Hospital Orange County, 1310 W Stewart Drive, Suite 508, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Benton E Heyworth
- Sports Medicine Division, Boston Children's Hospital, 319 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Lucena T, Cavaignac M, Marot V, Courtot L, Lutz C, Bérard E, Cavaignac E. Iliotibial band autograft is a suitable alternative graft for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2022; 30:1679-1690. [PMID: 34431012 DOI: 10.1007/s00167-021-06701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite encouraging clinical, biomechanical and histological results, ACL reconstruction using the ITB was slowly abandoned. The hypothesis was that the current literature supports the use of ITB as the graft of choice for ACL reconstruction because of its good outcomes. METHODS A systematic search of the literature was performed in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Ovid databases to identify published clinical studies relevant to ACL reconstruction with ITB autograft and studies comparing ITB autograft with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) and hamstring (HT) autografts (none were found). The results of the eligible studies were analyzed in terms of graft failure, instrumented knee laxity measurements, Lachman test, pivot-shift test, Lysholm score, objective and subjective International Knee Documentation committee (IKDC) scores, Tegner activity score, return to sports rate, return to sports at pre-injury level and complications. RESULTS Nineteen clinical studies including 1,210 patients with ACL reconstruction met the inclusion criteria. Graft failure occurred after ITB autograft in 4.2% of patients. Postoperative mean side-to-side laxity was 1.41 mm with 21% of patients having greater than 3 mm side-to-side difference. Lachman test and pivot-shift test were negative (grade 0) in 57% and 85%, respectively, and were grade 0 or 1 in 95% and 97%, respectively. Functional outcomes were satisfactory in 84% of patients with good to excellent results (Lysholm score > 84). Mean postoperative Lysholm score was 93.3 and 84% of patients had an objective IKDC grade of A or B. Mean postoperative Tegner score was 6.8. The return to sports rate was 89% and 61% of patients returned to their pre-injury level. A comparison of 89 ITB versus 80 BPTB autografts revealed no significant differences in graft failure (n.s.), instrumented mean side-to-side knee laxity difference (n.s.) or Tegner score (n.s.). CONCLUSION The graft survival rate and clinical and functional outcomes for ITB autograft are satisfactory. By allowing ACL reconstruction and lateral tenodesis to be done with a single, continuous, pedicled graft through an outside-in femoral tunnel, this technique may become the preferred alternative for primary or secondary ACL surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibaut Lucena
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Vincent Marot
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Louis Courtot
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse, France
| | - Christian Lutz
- Institut de Chirurgie Orthopédique Et Sportive À Strasbourg (ICOSS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Emilie Bérard
- Department of Epidemiology, Health Economics and Public Health, INSERM-University of Toulouse III, Toulouse University Hospital, UMR1027, Toulouse, France
| | - Etienne Cavaignac
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma, Pierre Paul Riquet University Hospital, Toulouse, France. .,I2R - Institut de Recherche Riquet, Toulouse, France.
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Sasaki S, Sasaki E, Kimura Y, Yamamoto Y, Tsuda E, Ishibashi Y. Clinical Outcomes and Postoperative Complications After All-Epiphyseal Double-Bundle ACL Reconstruction for Skeletally Immature Patients. Orthop J Sports Med 2021; 9:23259671211051308. [PMID: 34778480 PMCID: PMC8586179 DOI: 10.1177/23259671211051308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The treatment strategy for pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, especially in patients with open physes, remains controversial. Purpose To assess clinical outcomes and postoperative complications after all-epiphyseal double-bundle ACL (DB-ACL) reconstruction for patients with open physes. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods Included were 102 patients aged ≤15 years who underwent ACL reconstruction at a single institution and had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Of these patients, 18 had undergone all-epiphyseal DB-ACL reconstruction (mean age, 12.4 ± 1.2 year) and 84 had undergone conventional DB-ACL reconstruction (mean age, 14.1 ± 0.9 year). The outcomes of the all-epiphyseal group were compared with those of the conventional group. Objective clinical outcomes included KT-1000 arthrometer measurements of side-to-side difference in anterior tibial translation, Lachman test grade, and pivot-shift test grade. Radiographic angular deformity (defined as >3° of the side-to-side difference in femorotibial angle) and incidence of second ACL injury were also compared. Results The postoperative side-to-side difference in laxity significantly improved from 6.1 ± 2.4 to 0.6 ± 0.9 mm in the all-epiphyseal group (P = .001), and postoperative laxity was similar to that of the conventional group (0.4 ± 0.8 mm; P = .518). A Lachman grade 1 positive result was observed in 20% of the all-epiphyseal group and 3% of the conventional group (P = .042), and a pivot-shift grade 1 positive result was observed in 22% of the all-epiphyseal group and 4% of the conventional group (P = .074). A total of 4 patients (26.7%) in the all-epiphyseal group and 4 (6.1%) in the conventional group demonstrated angular deformity (P = .035). The incidence of postoperative ipsilateral ACL tear was 16.7% in the all-epiphyseal group and 23.8% in the conventional group (P = .757). The incidence of contralateral ACL tear was 11.1% in the all-epiphyseal group and 14.3% in the conventional group (P ≥ .999). Conclusion All-epiphyseal DB-ACL reconstruction for skeletally immature patients achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes compared with conventional DB-ACL reconstruction. The incidence of ipsilateral graft rupture was relatively high in both groups. The all-epiphyseal group had a significantly higher incidence of angular deformity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizuka Sasaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Eiji Sasaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yuka Kimura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yuji Yamamoto
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Eiichi Tsuda
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ishibashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
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