Abstract
Background: Unfortunately ACL injuries are not uncommon in the young: the majority however occurring after skeletal maturity.
Aim: To perform an internal audit of the demand, methods and results of ACL reconstruction in young patients at a tertiary referral centre.
Methods: Patients were identified through electronic patient records, and all operation notes and follow up records were scrutinised.
Results: 84 cases under 20 years of age (range 14–19) were reviewed from 2000–2004 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Over 10% had undergone previous surgery or had documented articular injury. 42 cases required further meniscal surgery at the time of reconstruction: 12% repairs (20/168 menisci), 18% partial menisectomy (30/168). The median time to reconstruction from injury was 9 months (range 1–72). No case was delayed for growth plate maturation. Reconstruction methods were partly surgeon dependent, following adult themes. Occasionally tibial fixation was away from the growth plate with low profile screws and washers. We are only aware of 1 failure during this short follow-up.
Conclusion: We believe that the use of techniques similar to those used on adults is appropriate for adolescents. However the high comorbidity is of some concern, demonstrating that this age range is as challenging as their older counterparts.
Honorary Secretary – Mr Roger Smith. Correspondence should be addressed to BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35 - 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
