Paediatric ACL repair reinforced with temporary internal bracing

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in young children often leads to knee instability and secondary injuries.
• Traditional ACL reconstruction in this age group presents challenges due to open physes and high failure rates.

Observation:

• A novel technique involving direct ACL repair reinforced with a temporary internal brace was applied to three pediatric patients.
• The internal brace was removed after three months post-surgery.

Findings:

• Second-look arthroscopy and clinical evaluations at three months confirmed complete ACL healing and stable knees in all patients.
• Patients resumed normal activities by four months, with excellent functional outcomes and no observed limb growth disturbances beyond two years.

Implications:

• This direct ACL repair technique provides a viable alternative to reconstruction in pediatric ACL injuries.
• It potentially reduces the morbidity associated with graft harvesting and reconstruction in young children.
• Successful repair highlights the importance of preserving the native ACL when possible for optimal outcomes.