ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of arthroscopic reduction of tibial intercondylar ridge fractures in children using a 2.0 mm perforated Kirschner wire to establish bone tunnels and the Krackow-" 8" suture.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2020, 24 children (14 males and 10 females, aged 6-15 years) with tibial intercondylar ridge fractures admitted to Children′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were retrospectively recruited for analyses.All patients were treated with arthroscopic reduction, non-absorbable Krackow-" 8" suture for the base of the anterior cruciate ligament, and establishment of bone tunnels by 2.0 mm perforated Kirschner wire from the proximal tibial epiphysis for inserting a suture to fix the fractures.The affected limb was immobilized with a cast for 4 weeks, followed by active exercises postoperatively.Knee function was assessed using the Lysholm score and IKDC 2000 subjective score.Knee stability was evaluated using the Lachman test.X-rays were taken at 3 and 6 months postoperatively to evaluate fracture healing.Growth retardation of epiphyseal plate at 2 years of follow-up was assessed by bilateral knee X-rays.Results:All the 24 cases were successfully operated, with the operation time of (63.1±20.2) (40-115) min.All children were followed up for 24-36 months[(28.7±3.4) months]. All children achieved an anatomical reduction of the fracture postoperatively.No complications like fracture displacement, suture rupture, or infection were reported.All fractures healed completely at 3 months postoperatively.At the last follow-up, the Lysholm score and IKDC 2000 subjective score were (94.4±4.8) points and (93.8±5.6) points, respectively.The positive Lachman test was detected in 2 patients.No inhibition of proximal tibial epiphyseal growth was observed.Conclusions:Arthroscopic reduction with non-absorbable Krackow-" 8" suture and establishment of bone tunnels using a 2.0 mm perforated Kirschner wire for the treatment of tibial intercondylar ridge fractures in children has the advantages of simple surgical procedures, minimal invasiveness, which is an effective treatment method.