What is the Long-term Outcome of ACL Repair?

Discussion The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) “is an intra-articular but extrasynovial collagenous structure with limited healing capacity that originates in the posteromedial aspect of the lateral femoral condyle and crosses into anteromedially to insert anterior into the intercondylar eminence of tibial articular surface.” It plays an important part as a mechanoreceptor particularly as a proprioceptor. Its main role is to prevent excessive anterior tibial translation, limits varus/valgus stress when the knee is in full extension and some rotary movements of the knee. There are ~120,000 surgeries per year mainly in the teenage and young adult population, with the number of injuries slowly increasing because of athletic opportunities and exposure. This is especially true for girls and young women who have increased risks because of hormones, genetic predisposition, narrower knee notch width and differences in cutting (e.g. change of direction) and landing biomechanics. Females have an increased risk per exposure at 3.8 vs 3.7 for males. Other risk factors for ACL injury include patella alta (high riding patella) or an increased tibial slope. For females the highest risk sports for ACL injury are soccer and basketball, while for males it is football and lacrosse. Potentially a multisport athlete over 4 years of a high school career could have up to 5-10% chance of having an ACL injury. Most ACL injuries are non-contact mechanisms (70-80%). Usually a deceleratio...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news