Preliminary results of a new arthroscopic ACL repairing technique with bio absorbable anchor in proximal anterior cruciate ligament tears in skeletally immature patients

Introduction and Objective There is a significant risk of growth disturbance after ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients, in particular in Tanner stages 1-2, who have higher growth potential and consequently have a higher risk of major limb growth. We present our results with a new arthroscopic intra-articular ACL repairing technique with bioabsorbable suture anchor in patients Tanner 1-2 with proximal ACL tear. Materials and Methods Patients with Tanner stages 1–2 and proximal ACL tears with adequate tissue quality confirmed arthroscopically treated with suture anchor ACL reinsertion were included in the study. Clinical evaluation, KT-1000, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), MRI and Lysholm and Tegner activity score were collected during follow-up. Results Twenty patients reached inclusion criteria. Mean age 9.8 years (range 4 to 10). Nine patients were excluded for the following reasons: follow up less than 1 year (4), re-rupture after new trauma (4) mean time from ACL repair was 5 years (range 1-9) and loss to follow up (1). Eleven patients were evaluated with follow up of 4,6 years (from 1 to 11). All of the patients described their knees as normal and had returned to their previous level of activity with good IKDC, Lysholm score and side-to-side difference. No patient complained other knee trauma or instability. None of the patients developed any axial deviation or leg length discrepancies. At MRI one lateral meniscal tear was observed in one of the four patients with ACL re-rupture. No other new articular lesions were reported. Conclusions This technique in selected skeletally immature patients shows good results in terms of joint stability and recovery of sport activity in such young patients.