M. Andrews et al., ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT ALLOGRAFT RECONSTRUCTION IN THE SKELETALLYIMMATURE ATHLETE, American journal of sports medicine, 22(1), 1994, pp. 48-54
The purpose of this study was to evaluate anterior cruciate ligament a
llograft reconstruction in skeletally immature athletes. Eight patient
s (mean age, 13 years, 6 months; range, 10 to 15 years) with radiograp
hic documentation of open growth plates had anterior cruciate ligament
repair and reconstruction with fascia lata or Achilles tendon allogra
ft tissue. A 7-mm graft was centrally placed across the tibial physes
and in an over-the-top position on the femur. All patients returned fo
r followup a mean of 58 months (range, 22 to 94) postoperatively. All
had an immediate knee motion and rehabilitation exercise program. The
results were rated on a comprehensive rating system that assessed 20 v
ariables. At followup, all patients showed closure of the growth plate
s. The difference in lower limb length, measured on scanograms, was no
t clinically significant. On KT-1000 arthrometer testing, 5 patients h
ad less than 3 mm of increased anterior-posterior displacement (normal
knee minus reconstructed knee) and 3 patients had between 3 and 5 mm.
The final overall ratings were 6 excellent, 1 good, and 1 fair. The p
rocedure is infrequently used, but appears to have merit in select, sk
eletally immature athletes who desire not to modify athletic activity
or when associated meniscal repairs warrant consideration for reconstr
uction.