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Transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using living parental donor hamstring graft: excellent clinical results at 2 years in a cohort of 100 patients

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

To determine outcomes of transphyseal ACL reconstruction using a living parental hamstring tendon allograft in a consecutive series of 100 children.

Methods

One hundred consecutive juveniles undergoing ACL reconstruction with a living parental hamstring allograft were recruited prospectively and reviewed 2 years after ACL reconstruction with IKDC Knee Ligament Evaluation, and KT1000 instrumented laxity testing. Skeletally immature participants obtained annual radiographs until skeletal maturity, and long leg alignment radiographs at 2 years. Radiographic Posterior tibial slope was recorded.

Results

Of 100 juveniles, the median age was 14 years (range 8–16) and 68% male. At surgery, 30 juveniles were graded Tanner 1 or 2, 21 were Tanner 3 and 49 were Tanner 4 or 5. There were no cases of iatrogenic physeal injury or leg length discrepancy on long leg radiographs at 2 years, despite a median increase in height of 8 cm. Twelve patients had an ACL graft rupture and 9 had a contralateral ACL injury. Of those without further ACL injury, 82% returned to competitive sports, IKDC ligament evaluation was normal in 52% and nearly normal in 48%. The median side to side difference on manual maximum testing with the KT1000 was 2 mm (range − 1 to 5). A radiographic PTS of 12° or more was observed in 49%.

Conclusions

ACL reconstruction in the juvenile with living parental hamstring tendon allograft is a viable procedure associated with excellent clinical stability, patient-reported outcomes and return to sport over 2 years. Further ACL injury to the reconstructed and the contralateral knee remains a significant risk, with identical prevalence observed between the reconstructed and contralateral ACL between 12 and 24 months after surgery.

Level of evidence

III (Cohort Study).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre, The Mater Clinic, Suite 2, 3 Gillies St., Wollstonecraft, NSW, 2065, Australia

    Koushik Ghosh, Lucy J. Salmon, Emma Heath, Leo A. Pinczewski & Justin P. Roe

  2. University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Australia

    Leo A. Pinczewski

Authors
  1. Koushik Ghosh
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  2. Lucy J. Salmon
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  3. Emma Heath
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  4. Leo A. Pinczewski
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  5. Justin P. Roe
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lucy J. Salmon.

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Conflict of interest

This study was funded by a research grant from the Friends of the Mater Foundation. JR receives institutional research support from Global Orthopaedics and Smith and Nephew, has given paid presentations for Depuy and Smith and Nephew, and is a shareholder in 360 Knee Systems. LP receives IP royalties from Signature Orthopaedics and Australian Biotechnology, research support from Australian Orthopaedic Association, Friends of the Mater Foundation and Smith and Nephew, stock or stock options from Australian Biotechnology, and is a paid presenter for Smith and Nephew.

Funding

This study was generously supported by The Friends of the Mater Foundation, Sydney, Australia.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained from St Vincents Human Research Ethics Committee, Sydney, Australia.

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Ghosh, K., Salmon, L.J., Heath, E. et al. Transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using living parental donor hamstring graft: excellent clinical results at 2 years in a cohort of 100 patients. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 28, 2511–2518 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-019-05842-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-019-05842-3

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