Fractures involving tibial eminence caused by ACL avulsion lesion most frequently occur paediatric patients. Satisfactory reduction in displaced fractures cannot be achieved through conservative treatment, while arthroscopy-assisted fixation technique represents the gold standard to reduce and to fix articular fractures and several effective implants have been used to treat this kind of fractures. In our retrospective study, we proposed a different arthroscopic technique to fix Type II and Type III tibial eminence fractures by using bioabsorbable nails. Nineteen patients, aged 6 to 13 years were treated with arthroscopic reduction and fixation of the fragment using bioabsorbable nails. At 6-month follow-up, all patients showed a decrease of less than 2mm of the anterior edge. All patients at maximum follow-up reached a full knee flexion/extension. IKDC subjective mean score at six-month was 88.14.2 points (range 80-95; p<0.01). For what concerns the Tegner Activity Scale, the mean value of 5.51 (range 3-7) prior to the surgery changed into 5.10.9 (range 3-6) at 6 months. No inflammatory reactions were reported and all fractures healed without complications. The objective IKDC grade A was reported in 18 patients and grade B in one patient, having a “nearly normal” range of motion item (92% compared to contralateral). Results can be compared to other surgical procedures described in the literature, having the same fast learning curve increase and limited complications, beside the fact that a second operation for metallic implants removal was avoided.
The prevalence of traumatic knee disease in children and young athletes has steadily increased over the past few years. The subjects who have engaged in intense sporting activities since a young age were especially vulnerable to developing an anterior cruciate injury. With the development of new imaging and clinical examination methods, diagnosis has also improved. The need to ensure joint growth without complications and the rising demands for a return to competitive sport are driving the search for an appropriate surgical technique. Today, only a few cases should receive conservative treatment. The main flaw of the extra-articular technique is that it doesn't respect the anatomy and results in excessive rigidity. Even precocious subjects can use the allepyphiseal technique, which allows for the respect of the growth plates. It does not present a particularly high complication rate and permits a full return to sports activities prior to the trauma with an adequate learning curve on the part of the surgeon. However, in more mature subjects with still open physis, the traditional transepiphyseal arthroscopic technique is possible as long as the tunnel is not too large. In any case, it is crucial to provide a thorough and ongoing follow-up until the end of growth as well as individualized rehabilitation.
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