Is Anteromedial Drilling Safe in Transphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescents with Growth Remaining?

BACKGROUND: Previous reports of transphyseal drilling in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have demonstrated good clinical outcomes without subjective changes in further skeletal development. The purpose of this study is to evaluate radiographic changes during continued growth following a transphyseal ACL reconstruction using an anteromedial femoral (AM) drilling technique in patients with >18 months of growth remaining. METHODS: A review of consecutive adolescents who underwent a soft tissue transphyseal ACL reconstruction using an AM drilling technique was performed. Inclusion criteria was 18 months of growth remaining based on radiographic bone age and standing radiographs at least one year from the index procedure. Demographic, preoperative, and postoperative data, and follow-up three-foot standing lower extremity radiographs were reviewed. Radiographic data included femoral length, tibial length, total lower extremity length, mechanical axis deviation (MAD), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). RESULTS: In total 12 adolescent patients with a mean age of 13.4 years (range, 12.3 to 14.4) and bone age of 13.4 years (11.5 to 14) at the time of surgery were included. At an average of 2.27-year follow-up (412 to 1058 d), there was no difference in the total growth of the operative and nonoperative limb (48.5 mm vs. 47 mm; P=0.36). In addition, the average increases in femoral length (23.4 mm) and tibial length (25.8 mm) were not statistically different between the operative and the nonoperative limb (P=0.12; P=0.75). There was no statistical difference in mechanical axis deviation, LDFA, or MPTA between preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Mean differences in operative and nonoperative coronal angular changes were all <1.5 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: With at least 2 years of growth remaining, transphyseal ACL reconstruction with anteromedial drilling did not significantly affect the physis or residual growth compared with the contralateral extremity. Although this technique may create a larger defect in the physis, standing radiographs demonstrate there is no change in limb length or angulation in growing adolescents approximately 2 years after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This is a case series; Level IV evidence.

The Importance of a Standardized Screening Tool to Identify Thromboembolic Risk Factors in Pediatric Lower Extremity Arthroscopy Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are major complications that can occur in common orthopaedic procedures such as knee arthroscopy. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk factors in adolescent patients undergoing elective lower extremity arthroscopy. A second objective is to determine whether a targeted, standardized screening tool is both cost- and clinically effective in the identification of VTE risk factors in adolescents. METHODS: A standardized VTE screening tool was prospectively administered to all elective arthroscopic procedures in a pediatric sports medicine practice. A comparison cohort that did not complete the screening tool was isolated through a retrospective chart review identifying VTE risk factors. The incidence and cost between the two cohorts were compared. RESULTS: Of 332 subjects who did not receive a targeted screening (TS) tool, 103 risk factors were noted. One pulmonary embolism case was identified with a total incidence of 0.15% over 3 years. With TS, we identified 325 subjects with 134 identifiable risk factors. Six patients (1.8%) were noted to be very high risk, requiring consultation with hematology. No VTEs were reported. When compared with the retrospective review, TS identified 30% more risk factors. A significant increase in the identification of family history of blood clots (P < 0.001), history of previous blood clot (P = 0.059), recurrent miscarriages in the family (P = 0.010), and smoking exposure (P = 0.062) was found. Additionally, the total cost of screening was less than the cost of prophylaxis treatment with no screening ($20.98 versus $23.51 per person, respectively). DISCUSSION: Risk factors for VTE may be present in 32.5% of elective adolescent arthroscopic patients. A TS model for VTE identified 30% more risk factors, especially a significant family history, and was shown to be a cost-effective way to safely implement a VTE prevention program. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Patellofemoral Instability in the Skeletally Immature Patient: A Review and Technical Description of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction in Patients with Open Physes.

Patellofemoral instability commonly occurs in the young patient, and, often, skeletal immaturity may be a risk factor for possible recurrence. Treatment considerations, including operative and nonoperative management, are based on anatomic factors. A medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is a treatment option for a skeletally immature patient with recurrent instability or for patients with a high risk of patellofemoral instability recurrence. A physeal-sparing MPFL reconstruction technique that considers the origin of the MPFL to be distal to the distal femoral physis may be employed.