Transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature pubescent adolescents / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring autograft in skeletally immature pubescent adolescents.Methods:Retrospectively reviewed 10 skeletally immature pubescent patients (10 knees) who underwent transphyseal ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft between May 2015 and May 2020 in our center. Out of the 10 patients, 6 were males aged 14.2±1.4 years (range, 13-15 years) with bone age 13-15 years, 4 were females aged 12.4±1.2 years (range, 11-13 years) with bone age 11-13 years. The average duration from injury to surgery was 8.3±5.3 months (range, 3-48 months). Before operation, left hand and wrist plain film were done to assess bone age. Before operation and at follow up, physical examination, KT-1000 measurements and functional outcome instruments (the Lysholm score, and the Tegner score) were done. Radiographs were performed for angular deformity and leg-length measurements. The surgery was conducted via arthroscopically assisted transphyseal reconstruction of the ACL with use of an autogenous quadrupled hamstring tendon graft and fixation devices that did not cross the physes. A protective knee brace was used for 1 month postoperatively. Comparison of Lysholm score and Tegner score before and after surgery was performed using t test. Results:Arthroscopy confirmed ACL rupture in 10 knees. Concurrent meniscal surgery was performed in 3 knees. The follow-up duration was 3.2±2.3 years (range 2-5 years), one of 10 patients had ligament reinjury 1 year after surgery with positive anterior drawer test and Lachman test. As for the remaining 9 patients, the mean Lysholm knee score improved from preoperative 76.1±8.2 to 95.8 ±3.5, and the mean Tegner score improved from preoperative 4.3±0.9 to 8.3±0.6, both of the two outcomes had statistically significant difference ( t=6.43, P=0.024; t=4.41, P=0.033). One patients was weakly positive for anterior drawer test and Lachman test, with KT-1000 side difference >3 mm, the remaining eight were negative for anterior drawer test and Lachman test, and KT-1000 side difference was mean 1.7±0.7 mm. All patients had no more than 5° restriction in knee range of motion compared with the healthy side. The full-length X-ray of the standing lower limbs showed no length and angle deformity in both lower limbs. Conclusion:Transphyseal ACL reconstruction with autogenous quadrupled hamstring graft in treating skeletally immature pubescent patients (bone age over 13 years in male and 11 years in female) yields satisfied functional outcomes without growth disturbance.