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Outcomes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Young Patients: An Observational Study.

Outcomes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Young Patients: An Observational Study.

Kunal Mohan, MB MCh MRCSI, IRELAND David Cooper, MB MRCSI, IRELAND Niall McGoldrick, MB MCh FRCS (Tr & Orth), IRELAND Martin Davey, MB MCh MRCSI, IRELAND Megan Diack, MBCHB, MRCSI, MCh, IRELAND Paula McQuail, MB FRCSI, IRELAND Fintan J. Shannon, FRCS (Tr/Orth), IRELAND

Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Galway University Hospitals, Galway H91YR71, Connacht, IRELAND


2021 Congress   ePoster Presentation     Not yet rated

 

Anatomic Location

Anatomic Structure

Diagnosis / Condition

Treatment / Technique

Ligaments

ACL

Sports Medicine

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Summary: A retrospective observational study of patients under 20 years of age undergoing primary ACL reconstruction under a single surgeon over a 10-year period evaluating RTP, graft rupture rates and overall patient satisfaction quantified and assessing for correlation with patient demographics, injury factors, and utilised graft characteristics.


Background

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) ruptures are increasingly prevalent amongst adolescents and young adults, potentially representing a significant burden upon what is typically an active, high physical demand group. Outcomes following ACL reconstruction in younger patients are variable within the current literature, with disparity in graft rupture and return to pre-injury function described owing to epidemiological, biomechanical and surgical factors as well as patients’ functional demands.

Aims & Objectives:
The objectives of this study were to both quantify the rate of ACL graft rupture and return to play (RTP) characteristics in a young patient cohort following ACL reconstruction, as well as to identify any specific patient, injury or surgical variables that may influence post-operative outcomes.

Materials & Methods:
A retrospective observational study of patients under 20 years of age undergoing primary ACL reconstruction under a single surgeon over a 10-year period was undertaken, with RTP, graft rupture rates and overall patient satisfaction quantified and assessed for correlation with patient demographics, injury factors and utilised graft characteristics.

Results

151 patients under 20 years of age underwent ACL reconstruction during the study period and were suitable for inclusion, with a mean age, time to surgery and follow-up duration of 17 years, 8 months and 64 months respectively. 84% sustained the index ACL rupture following a non-contact mechanism, with 74% sustaining a concurrent meniscal injury detected at time of arthroscopy and 64% undergoing surgery with hamstring graft. Overall graft rupture rate was 15%, with an apparent trend for inferior rupture profiles associated with female gender or graft size <7mm. 87% of patients returned to sport, with 96% of those returning to either the same or higher level of pre-injury exertion. 96% of all patients deemed themselves to be satisfied with their postoperative outcome at time of review.

Conclusions

Management of ACL ruptures in the younger patient cohort is complex and multifactorial, with potential risks of graft rupture as well as a potentially high likelihood of positive outcomes and return to play. Specific treatment pathways and counselling is recommended to help optimise success in this challenging patient group.


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