J Korean Fract Soc.  2007 Apr;20(2):196-201. 10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.196.

Comparison of the Surgical Treatment Results of Avulsion Fracture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament between Children and Adults

• Song EK
• Park SJ
• Lee KB

• KMID: 2295580
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.196

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare the clinical and radiological results after surgical treatments of the avulsion fractures of ACL between children and adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
40 cases (18 cases of children, 22 cases of adults), who underwent surgical treatments after avulsion fractures of the ACL and followed up more than one year, were enrolled. Fractures were classified by modified Meyers & McKeever criteria. Range of motion, LK score, Lachman test, Pivot-Shift test, quadriceps muscle atropy and Telos® stress arthrometer were compared.
RESULTS
The types of fracture in children were categorized into 8 cases of type II, 10 cases of type III, and 2, 15, 5 cases of type II, III, IV each in adult group. Mean LK score showed significant difference between 99.3 points in children and 89.5 points in adults (p<0.05). In addition, accompanied injuries and the high degree of fracture leaded low LK score. However, there was no significant difference in range of motion, Lachman test and Pivot-Shift test. Anterior laxity by Telos® device showed an average of 2.0 mm in children, 2.5 mm in adults (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Children group showed better treatment results of avulsion fracture of ACL. Higher incidence of type II fractures and less combined injuries considered to be factors for better results.

Keyword

Anterior cruciate ligament; Avulsion fracture; Children; Adult

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Anterior Cruciate Ligament*
Child*
Humans
Incidence
Quadriceps Muscle
Range of Motion, Articular

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Classification of the ACL avulsion fractures by modified Meyers & McKeever classification.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Type III ACL avulsion fracture of 7-year old male patient. (B) Radiographs 2 years after pull-out suture operation shows the complete healing state. (C) Type II ACL avulsion fracture of 24-year old female patient. (D) Radiographs 8 years after screw fixation shows the complete healing state of the ACL fracture.

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