Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients

Abstract

Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in the skeletally immature patient is a challenging procedure for pediatric patients with recurrent instability after primary ACL reconstruction. The pediatric population presents unique technical challenges and complications secondary to open physes compared with the adult population. Complications can include growth disturbances, recurrent graft failure, instability, and secondary chondral and/or meniscal injury. Moreover, identifying the etiology of graft failure is critical for a successful revision. Patients should undergo a complete history and physical examination with a focus on patient physiologic age, physeal status, mechanical axis, tibial slope, collagen status, injury mechanism, concomitant injuries, and previous surgical procedures. The surgeon must be adept at reconstruction with various grafts as well as socket or tunnel preparation and fixation, including over-the-top, all-epiphyseal, transphyseal, extra-articular augmentation, and staging approaches. Reported rates of return to sport are lower than those of primary reconstruction, with higher rates of cartilage and meniscal degeneration. Future research should focus on optimizing surgical outcomes and graft survivorship after primary ACL reconstruction with minimized trauma to the physis.