Outcomes of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Biologic Augmentation in Patients 21 Years of Age and Younger.

PURPOSE

To report on the outcomes of a subset of patients ≤21 years of age after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction coupled with biologic augmentation using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and a porous collagen carrier.

METHODS

A cohort of patients was retrospectively reviewed after ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft tendon. All reconstructive surgeries combined biologic augmentation in which the ACL graft was coupled with PRP contained within porous collagen membrane. Patients were included if they maintained a minimum follow-up period of 24 months. Outcomes were assessed through patient-reported questionnaires and physical examination in the clinical setting. Patient-reported outcomes including International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, Tegner, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores were collected. ACL stability was evaluated using Lachman and KT-1000 testing. Patients were also evaluated for return to play at the same level of competition, family history of ACL injury, and time to complete rehabilitation.

RESULTS

A total of 194 patients were initially eligible; 143 (74%) patients with 151 knees were ultimately evaluated. The average patient age was 16 years; 79 patients were female and 64 were male. Follow-up duration averaged 52 months. IKDC and Lysholm scores averaged 91 and 91; the average SANE score was 94. The KT-1000 side-to-side difference averaged 1.2 mm. The average time to complete physical therapy was 22 weeks, and 132 patients (92%) returned to their preinjury level of competition. There were 23 cases of contralateral ACL injury (15%) and 7 cases of ACL reinjury necessitating revision surgery (5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Biologic augmentation with hamstring autograft in ACL reconstruction shows a decreased rate of second ACL injury, specifically with regard to ACL revision surgery. The patients in this study also show higher return to preinjury level of competition at a faster rate than other studies have shown.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Therapeutic Case Series.