Abstract.We report on the clinical and radiographic outcomes of arthroscopically-assisted ACL reconstruction in a cohort of patients 13 years of age and younger. A retrospective chart review of skeletally immature patients, aged 13 and under (mean: 12.7 years, range: 8-13), identified 34 patients that underwent 35 ACL reconstructions (33 unilateral and 1 bilateral reconstruction). The indication for ACL reconstruction was acute ACL rupture (34/35 reconstructions) and congenital ACL insufficiency (1/35). All patients underwent a standard preoperative physical examination including Lachmann and pivot-shift testing. Minimum two-year clinical and radiographic follow-up was available for all patients (mean: 3.5 years, range: 3.5-10.1). All patients underwent arthroscopically-assisted ACL reconstruction. At the most recent clinical follow-up, all patients were assessed with a standardized physical examination in which active and passive range of motion, knee stability, and angular growth disturbance was evaluated. Additionally, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective form was completed for all patients. The mean postoperative IKDC score was 83.4 (+/- 14.9), with normal or nearly normal Lachmann testing and pivot shift in 89% of patients. Three patients (8.6%) underwent revision ACL reconstruction during the study period. No angular growth deformities related to transphyseal drilling were noted in radiographic analysis.

Keywords: Arthroscopically, skeletally, transphyseal, Lachmann, ACL reconstruction