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The anatomy of the proximal tibia in pediatric and adolescent patients: implications for ACL reconstruction and prevention of physeal arrest
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Knee
The anatomy of the proximal tibia in pediatric and adolescent patients: implications for ACL reconstruction and prevention
of physeal arrest
Kevin G. Shea1, 2, 4 , Peter J. Apel3, Ronald P. Pfeiffer4 and Paul D. Traughber4, 5
| (1) |
Intermountain Orthopaedics, 600 N. Robbins Road, Ste. 401, Boise, ID 83702, USA |
| (2) |
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah School of Medicine, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA |
| (3) |
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA |
| (4) |
Center for Orthopedic and Biomechanics Research (COBR), Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA |
| (5) |
Department of Radiology, McCall Memorial Hospital, McCall, ID 83638, USA |
Received: 19 March 2006 Accepted: 29 May 2006 Published online: 15 August 2006
Abstract Although the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in skeletally immature patients is still controversial, several
studies have advocated ACL reconstruction in selected patients to prevent secondary injury. The proximal tibial physis is
a structure at risk during ACL reconstruction in young patients, and physeal growth complications have been reported after
surgery in this area. The relationship between the ACL and the proximal tibial physeal/apophyseal regions is poorly understood.
This study examined the MRI anatomy of the ACL and the proximal tibia apophysis and epiphysis. MRIs of 59 skeletally immature
knees were reviewed (Average age = 12.75 years, range 6–15) to define the anatomy of the epiphyseal and apophyseal regions.
Measurements were recorded in three parasagittal planes: (1) at the lateral border of the patellar tendon, (2) the lateral
edge of the ACL insertion, and (3) the medial edge of the ACL insertion. A single three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography
(CT) scan was used to evaluate the position of standard drill holes used in ACL reconstruction to assess for potential degree
of injury to the epiphyseal and apophyseal growth plates. In the parasagittal planes, the average height of the epiphysis
was 19.6, 20.7, and 21.5 mm at the lateral border of the patellar tendon, the lateral border of the ACL, and the medial border
of the ACL, respectively. At the level of the same landmarks, the apophysis extended below the physis at an average of 20.2,
16.8, and 7.0 mm, respectively. Expressed as a percentage of epiphysis height this was an average of 104, 82, and 33%, respectively.
Examination of 3D CT images revealed that variations in drill hole placement had effects on the volume of injury to the proximal
tibial physis and apophysis. Drill holes that started more medial, distal, and with a steeper angle of inclination reduced
the amount of physis and apophysis violated when compared with holes placed more lateral, proximal, and with a shallow angle
of inclination. The proximal tibial physis and apophysis is vulnerable to injury by drill hole placement during ACL reconstruction
in skeletally immature patients. This paper defines the anatomic relationship of the apophyseal and epiphyseal regions of
the physis in the proximal tibia. The volume of injury to the physis can be reduced by avoiding tunnel placement that is too
lateral or too proximal on the tibia. A better understanding of these relationships may guide the placement of tibial drill
holes, which have a lower risk of producing significant physeal damage.
Keywords Anterior cruciate ligament - Anatomy - Pediatric - Adolescent - Physis - Knee injury
The preliminary work on this topic was presented at the 2000 Meeting of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America,
Vancouver, Canada, and the 2001 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
 References secured to subscribers.
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