Between 1980 and 1996, 17 children who were prepubescent have had a combine
d intraarticular and extraarticular reconstruction of the anterior cruciate
ligament using the iliotibial band that does not violate the physes, The a
verage chronological age of the patients was 11 years (range, 2-14 years) a
nd the average skeletal age of the patients was 10 years (range, 2-13 years
), Eight of the 10 patients who had attained skeletal maturity were evaluat
ed at an average of 66.5 months postoperatively (range, 25-168 months). All
knees were stable subjectively by history and objectively by KT1000(TM) te
sting. The average Lysholm score at assessment was 97.4. No child with a tr
aumatic disruption had leg length discrepancy develop.