Knee valgus and patellofemoral instability after pediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Background

Pediatric athletes who undergo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are at risk for a growth deformity if the surgery violates the physes.

Case

A 12-year-old African American boy underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a hamstring autograft. The procedure violated the distal femoral growth plate and the perichondrial ring of LaCroix, resulting in a distal femoral lateral physeal growth arrest. Three years later, he had developed a 15° valgus deformity, an increased quadriceps angle and patellofemoral instability. He was able to return to sports after undergoing a distal femoral osteotomy to correct the valgus and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction to stabilize the patella.

Conclusion

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in athletes with open physes has the potential to cause distal femoral valgus deformity, an increased quadriceps angle, and subsequent patellofemoral instability.