ORTHOPEDICS INSTITUTE
ORTHOPEDICS
Reducing the Risk of ACL Retear
LEADERSHIP: Mark Erickson, MD, Co-Chair, Pediatric Orthopedics Rose Brown Chair, Pediatric Orthopedics
Nancy Hadley- Miller, MD, Co-Chair, Pediatric Orthopedics
Dennis Matthews, MD, Chief, Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Fischahs Chair, Pediatric Rehabilitation
READ MORE ABOUT ORTHOPEDICS:“ A Spine the Size of Your Hand,” p. 10
About 10 years ago, Jay Albright, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon, began repairing anterior cruciate ligament( ACL) injuries with the quadriceps tendon graft. It’ s a technique common among adult patients but nearly unheard of in pediatrics.
Using the hamstring for an ACL repair— the traditional approach— permanently weakens the muscle, which may increase the chance of tearing, particularly in young females. Dr. Albright learned from Nashville’ s Allen Anderson, MD, orthopedic surgeon, a surgical technique that allowed him to use the quadriceps tendon while avoiding the growth plates to reduce ACL retear rates in female athletes.
Though the quadriceps technique has a longer recovery
Considered a pioneer of this procedure in pediatrics, Jay Albright, MD, has performed close to 700 quadriceps-patellar bone grafts to date.
time— potentially keeping athletes off the field longer— it has better long-term outcomes.
“ I think about in 10, 15, 30 years what their knee is going to be like,” Dr. Albright says.“ I want them to be able to teach their kids and grandkids how to play soccer.”
96 %
ACL reconstruction graft success rate after 24 months