Femoral Mechanical-Biological Graft Fixation in ACL Reconstruction in Young Patients

ACL reconstructions in young, skeletally immature athletes are potentially harmful, both for the tibial and femoral growth plates. Over the last decade, the results of non-operative treatments have been poor, but several authors now recommend that skeletally immature patients undergo surgery, despite its potential risks. Observation alone may also be harmful to the health of the knee joint, because young athletes tend to be less cooperative and frequently resume the practice of rotational sports even against medical advice. Therefore, a consensual decision should be made by the parents, the athlete and the medical team before other structures of the joint (e.g., articular cartilage or any of the menisci) are irreversibly affected.