This study was performed to evaluate the results of transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in children with open physes.

Between 2001 and 2009, 31 knees in 29 patients with a mean age of 14.1 years (10-16) underwent transphyseal, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using an autogenous four-strand hamstrings graft. The technique was identical to that used in the adult population in our unit, except that care was taken to ensure fixation did not cross the physes. The patients were followed up to the point of physeal closure at skeletal maturity. The mean length of follow up was 25 months. The primary outcome measure was graft survival. Functional outcome was measured using Lysolm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores and the Tegner activity scale. Post-operative clinical examination and radiological findings were also recorded.

There were two cases of re-rupture following a further sports injury, one 12 months post-operative and one at six years. Both patients later had successful revision ACL reconstructive surgery. The re-rupture rate in this case series was 6%. Two patients underwent repair of a concomitant lateral meniscal tear at the time of surgery. The mean post-operative Lysolm score was 88 and the mean IKDC score was 88.1. The mean Tegner activity scale was 7.95. There was no evidence of growth disturbance radiologically or leg length inequality clinically. There was one case of deep infection which was successfully treated with two subsequent arthroscopic washouts.

This study demonstrates that transphyseal arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using hamstrings graft and an ‘adult’ technique, in skeletally immature patients, provides good functional outcomes, has a low revision rate and is not associated with physeal growth arrest or disturbance.