Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Athletes Using All-Epiphyseal Techniques

Clin Sports Med. 2022 Oct;41(4):569-577. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.05.002.

Abstract

All-epiphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (AE ACLR) has become an alternative technique for skeletally immature patients with a significant amount of growth remaining. This technique involves graft fixation within the epiphysis without crossing the physis. Either quadriceps tendon or hamstring autograft can be used when performing this procedure. Previous studies have shown that the complication rate is not higher in AE techniques versus previously developed techniques. Additionally, in our hands, the revision rate was found to be significantly lower in an AE ACLR compared with patients who had a transphyseal ACLR.

Keywords: All-epiphyseal technique; Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; Pediatric ACL; Quadriceps tendon autograft.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / surgery
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction* / methods
  • Athletes
  • Autografts / surgery
  • Epiphyses / surgery
  • Hamstring Muscles*
  • Humans
  • Transplantation, Autologous