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Adult literature cites an axillary nerve danger zone of 5 to 7 cm distal to the acromion tip for open or percutaneous shoulder surgery, but that may not be valid for younger patients. This study sought to quantify the course of the axillary nerve in adolescent patients with reference to easily identifiable intraoperative anatomic and radiographic parameters.A single-institution hospital database was reviewed for shoulder magnetic resonance images (MRIs) in patients 10 to 17 years old. One hundred and one MRIs from patients with a mean age of 15.6 ± 1.2 years (range, 10 to 17 years) were included. Axillary nerve branches were identified in the coronal plane as they passed lateral to the proximal humerus and were measured in relation to identifiable intraoperative surface and radiographic landmarks, including the acromion tip, apex of the humeral head, lateral physis, and central apex of the physis. The physeal apex height (i.e., 1 "mountain") was defined as the vertical distance between the most lateral point of the humeral physis (LPHP) and the central intraosseous apex of the physis.Axillary nerve branches were found in all specimens, adjacent to the lateral cortex of the proximal humerus. A mean of 3.7 branches (range, 2 to 6) were found. The mean distance from the most proximal branch (BR1) to the most distal branch (BR2) was 11.7 mm. The pediatric danger zone for the axillary nerve branches ranged from 6.6 mm proximal to 33.1 mm distal to the LPHP. The danger zone in relation to percent of physeal apex height included from 62% proximal to 242% distal to the LPHP.All branches were found distal to the apex of the physis (1 "mountain" height proximal to the LPHP). Distal to the LPHP, no branches were found beyond a distance of 3 times the physeal apex height (3 "valleys"). In children and adolescents, percutaneous fixation of the proximal humerus should be performed with cortical penetration outside of this range. These parameters serve as readily identifiable intraoperative radiographic landmarks to minimize iatrogenic nerve injury.This study provides valuable landmarks for percutaneous approaches to the proximal humerus. The surgical approach for the placement of percutaneous implants should be adjusted accordingly (i.e., performed at least 1 mountain proximal or 3 valleys distal to the LPHP) in order to prevent iatrogenic injury to the axillary nerve.

Introduction The Institute of Medicine has defined multiple domains to improve safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care. High-Reliability Organizations (HROs) address these issues and promote safety/reliability at the highest level. Methods HROs create a bottom-up, top-down culture that focuses upon continuous improvement by withholding blame on individuals yet requiring all members to be accountable for continuous improvement. Results Supporting staff to speak up, identify, and engage on the path to perfect care and zero harm are elements of a safety culture. In addition to safety, HROs can also focus on effectiveness and efficiency. This may be accomplished by creating consistent care practices that reduce irrational variation, decrease complexity, and lower risk. Discussion Developing a culture focused upon reliability, safety, and staff resilience is critical for HROs. HROs support and empower all staff to be vigilant and report concerns about any issue related to safety and support the development of a "Safety Culture." HROs focus upon safety will be enhanced by an expanded focus upon effectiveness and efficiency to improve value. A focus on standard clinical practices and clinician integration into the supply chain will help organizations produce better value and be an essential tool to reduce complexity and risk within health care systems.

Background Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common condition, affecting 1% to 2% of full-term infants. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and American Academy of Pediatrics have published guidelines detailing best practices for DDH screening and treatment. The purpose of this survey was to determine DDH treatment practices of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons in North America. Methods We queried orthopaedic surgeon members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) about referral patterns, treatment practices, and use of DDH guidelines. The survey included demographics, clinical scenarios, referrals patterns, and ultrasound practices. Results Of the 1392 members of POSNA, we received 432 total responses and included 353 in statistical analyses. Results show that 68% (233/342) of surgeons practice in an institution that does not endorse a standard care pathway for DDH. Of surgeons who personally use a DDH care pathway, the AAOS guidelines were most cited (143/353, 41%). The majority (94%, 316/337) of surgeons do not believe that universal ultrasound screening should be adopted in the United States. Responses regarding ultrasound screening for "high risk" infants as outlined by AAOS varied based on risk factor. Many (57%, 200/353) surgeons have performed initial evaluations for patients over 12 months of age. While 80% (260/327) of orthopaedic surgeons believe that primary care providers are referring patients appropriately, only 57% (183/323) believe that primary care providers are ordering imaging studies appropriately. Conclusions Results from this survey of POSNA membership indicate an opportunity to better distribute and implement DDH guidelines. In addition, the implementation of a care map with a focus on standard referral and imaging practices could improve the care of patients with DDH by: (1) reducing the total cost of care, (2) increasing the use of appropriate imaging, (3) increasing timely referral for DDH care, and (4) reducing the presentation rate of walking age DDH patients. Level of evidence The level of evidence rating for this survey-based study is level IV.

Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has been documented to have worse outcomes than primary ACL reconstruction. The reasons remain varied and not completely understood. METHODS: Patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction were prospectively enrolled. Data collected included baseline demographics, surgical technique and pathological condition, prescribed rehabilitation instructions, and a series of validated patient-reported outcome instruments. Patients were followed for 2 years and asked to complete a set of outcome instruments identical to those completed at baseline. Subsequent surgical procedures on the ipsilateral knee were recorded. Regression analysis was used to control for age, sex, activity level, baseline outcome scores, and the above-mentioned rehabilitation-related variables in order to assess the factors affecting clinical outcomes 2 years after revision ACL reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 843 patients met the inclusion criteria and were successfully enrolled, and 82% (695) were followed for 2 years. Two rehabilitation-related factors were found to influence outcome. First, patients who were prescribed an ACL brace for their return to sports had a significantly better Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for sports and recreational activities at 2 years (odds ratio [OR] =1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07 to 2.11; p = 0.019). Second, patients prescribed an ACL brace for the postoperative rehabilitation period were 2.3 times more likely to have subsequent surgery by 2 years (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.11 to 4.60; p = 0.024). The odds of a graft rerupture were not affected by any type of brace wear. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation-related factors that the physician can control at the time of an ACL reconstruction have the ability to influence clinical outcomes at 2 years. Weight-bearing and motion can be initiated immediately postoperatively. Bracing during the early postoperative period is not helpful. Use of a functional brace early in the postoperative period was associated with an increased risk of a reoperation. Use of a functional brace for a return to sports improved the KOOS on the sports/recreation subscale. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Background The pathogenesis of human juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) remains poorly understood, with multiple factors implicated, including ischemia, repetitive trauma, and genetic predisposition. Similarities in the predilection site and the diagnostic and clinical features of JOCD to the well-characterized veterinary counterpart, osteochondrosis dissecans, suggest that, similar to the animal disease, the pathogenesis JOCD may also be initiated in the first few years of life, when disruption of blood supply to the epiphyseal growth cartilage leads to failure of endochondral ossification. To gather data in support of the hypothesis that JOCD and osteochondrosis dissecans have a shared pathogenesis, biopsy specimens obtained from predilection sites of JOCD in juvenile human cadavers were histologically examined to determine whether they contained lesions similar to those found in animals diagnosed with subclinical osteochondrosis dissecans. Methods In this descriptive laboratory study, 59 biopsy specimens (6 mm in diameter) were harvested from the central aspect (i.e., the notch side) of the femoral condyles of 26 human cadavers (1 month to 11 years old). Specimens were histologically evaluated for the presence of areas of cartilage necrosis and the morphology of cartilage canal blood vessels. Results Locally extensive areas of necrotic epiphyseal cartilage were identified in 4 specimens obtained from 3 donors (ages 2 to 4 years). Areas of cartilage necrosis accompanied by focal failure of endochondral ossification or surrounded by subchondral bone were identified in biopsy specimens from 4 donors (ages 4 to 9 years). Conclusions The identification of epiphyseal cartilage necrosis identical to that described in animals with subclinical osteochondrosis, found in biopsy specimens obtained from femoral predilection sites of JOCD in pediatric cadavers, suggests a shared pathogenesis of JOCD in humans and osteochondrosis dissecans in animals. Clinical relevance These findings imply that the pathogenesis of human JOCD likely starts 5 to 10 years prior to the development of clinical symptoms. Enhanced understanding of the temporal features of JOCD pathogenesis provides an opportunity for earlier diagnosis and treatment, likely resulting in improved outcomes for this condition in the future.

The concept of evidence-based medicine has evolved over the past 2 decades, and has become a cornerstone to clinical decision-making in virtually every aspect of medicine. With a commitment to providing its members with high-quality evidence-based guidelines, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has instituted concerted efforts since 2006 to develop clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and appropriate use criteria (AUCs) for certain orthopaedic conditions. Many of these CPGs and AUCs detail the management of pediatric orthopaedic conditions. By the same token, members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) Evidence Based Practice Committee have been publishing succinct evaluations of randomized controlled trials in pediatric orthopaedic surgery to create an evidence-based repository for quick reference to available high-level evidence as well as resource to identify gaps in the current research and identify opportunities for future investigation. In instances where higher-level evidence needed to develop CPGs is not available to address a critically important clinical question, consensus recommendations from experts in the field have been obtained to develop best practice guidelines (BPGs). The purpose of this review is to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the key principles of evidence-based medicine and methodologies used for the development of CPGs, AUCs, and BPGs.

Background Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a joint disorder of the subchondral bone and articular cartilage whose association with obesity in children is not clearly known. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of the association between childhood obesity and the occurrence of OCD of the knee, ankle, and elbow in children. Methods A retrospective chart review of an integrated health system was performed on OCD patients aged 2 to 19 from 2007 to 2011, with over 1 million patients in this cohort. Lesion location, laterality, and all patient demographics were recorded. The body mass index (BMI) for each patient in the cohort was used to stratify patients into 5 weight classes (underweight, normal weight, overweight, moderately obese, and extremely obese) based on BMI-for-age. The associations between the 5 weight classes and OCD of the ankle, knee, and elbow were assessed using multiple logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals using multivariate analysis to adjust for patient demographic variables. Results In total, 269 patients fit the inclusion criteria. Mean BMI, both absolute and percentile, was significantly higher for patients with OCD of the knee, elbow, and ankle than patients without OCD. In the multivariate analysis, extremely obese patients were found to have an increased OR of OCD for all patients, with an 86% increased risk of any OCD compared with normal weight patients. In addition, assessment by different types of OCD revealed that extremely obese patients had an increased OR of OCD of the elbow and ankle individually, with a 3.1 times increased OCD elbow risk and 3.0 times increased risk of ankle OCD in extremely obese patients. Although extremely obese patients did not have a statistically significant increased risk of knee OCD, moderately obese patients did have a 1.8 times increased risk of knee OCD as compared with normal weight children. There were no significantly different risks of any type of OCD seen in overweight or underweight patients as compared with normal weight patients. Conclusions In this population-based cohort study, extreme obesity is strongly associated with an increased risk of OCD overall and OCD of the elbow and ankle specifically. In addition, moderate obesity is associated with an increased risk of knee OCD. All types of OCD were also found to have a significantly greater average BMI when compared with patients without OCD. Level of evidence Level IV-descriptive epidemiology study.

Introduction The opioid epidemic in the United States has reached crisis proportions. Urgent response is needed. Hydrocodone in combination with acetaminophen is the most prescribed drug in the United States. The most common source of opioids available for misuse is the unused portions of postoperative prescriptions. Among high school seniors, 80% of those who reported nonmedical use of prescription opioids previously had legitimate prescriptions but recreationally used leftover doses. Roughly one-quarter of patients do not take any of their postoperatively prescribed opioids and the remainder take one-third to two-thirds of the prescribed doses. Methods A summary of the literature is presented beginning from historical perspective to current status and pertinent strategies in dealing with this complicated problem. This review includes data from an electronic survey of the members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) with regard to the prescriptions they would provide for 7 treatment scenarios. Results Strategies for the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of management of pain as well as strategies for education, research, and advocacy are presented. The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America survey yielded 264 respondents. The 3 most commonly used opioid medications were hydrocodone, oxycodone, and acetaminophen with codeine, in that order, for most of the scenarios. The time period covered by postoperative prescriptions varied considerably. Conclusions The magnitude of this problem is overwhelming. Education of care providers, patients and families, standardization of narcotic prescribing practices which incorporate patient characteristics, and appropriate plans for disposal of unused narcotics are immediate concepts to consider in correcting this problem. Long-term issues to tackle will be changing patient a family expectations, legislation, and obtaining additional resources directed towards this issue.

Increased participation in youth sports is associated with increased rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in the skeletally immature. Historically, ACL reconstruction was avoided in the skeletally immature, or delayed until skeletal maturity, to avoid physeal injury and growth disturbance. Current practices and meta-analyses support early ACL reconstruction in some groups, to allow for return to activities and to avoid delayed cartilage/meniscus injury.The purpose of this article was to report on the natural history of ACL injuries in the skeletally immature.A review of published literature on pediatric, skeletally immature ACL tears and conservative, nonoperative treatment was conducted via Pubmed articles published from 1970 to 2018. The search criteria included the key terms "anterior cruciate ligament," "pediatric" and/or "adolescent," and "conservative" and/or "nonoperative treatment." A PRISMA workflow was used to narrow down the articles to those relevant to our analysis and available in full text format.Multiple articles on the nonoperative treatment of the ACL showed secondary meniscal and cartilage damage at the time of follow-up. Some articles showed no difference between the rates of secondary injuries between the surgical and nonsurgical treatment groups; however, the nonsurgical treatment groups were often on significant activity modification. Some articles concluded that nonoperative treatment of the ACL tear may be appropriate in low risk, lower level activity patients, and those that will comply with activity restrictions. Even with bracing and PT programs, active athletes treated without surgery appear to have a concerning rate of secondary meniscus injury after the primary ACL injury event.The natural history of the ACL tear shows nonoperative treatment for the skeletally immature may be a viable treatment pathway for those who are able to comply with the physical activity restrictions. For the general population of young, active adolescents, an ACL injury treated nonoperatively often leads to secondary meniscal and/or cartilage damage, which may lead to knee degeneration and functional instability.

Sports injuries are common in pediatric and adolescent patients and the evaluation and treatment of these injuries continues to evolve. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive appraisal of the literature, highlighting recent updates on sports-related knee injuries in the pediatric athlete. We specifically examined literature on tibial spine fractures, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee, and patellar instability. Because of the volume of literature on the subject, pediatric, and adolescent anterior cruciate ligament injuries were not included in this review.An electronic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases was performed for keywords related to pediatric: tibial spine fractures, patellar instability, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Search results were filtered by publication date to yield articles published electronically or in print on or after January 1, 2013. Papers were selected based on expert opinion and consensus by the authors and included if deemed to have contributed important findings to the above topics.A total of 31 articles were deemed to have contributed significant findings to the literature: 5 tibial spine, 17 patellar instability, and 9 OCD. The level of evidence for most studies was either level III or IV.The optimal treatment for tibial spine fractures remains controversial. The evaluation of risk factors for recurrent patellar instability is important in determining the optimal treatment strategy following first-time patellar dislocation. Future multicenter studies on pediatric OCD have the potential to further understanding of this difficult problem. High-level, comparative outcomes research on a variety of pediatric sports related injuries is lacking and this review may help inform topics for future study.Level IV-literature review.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study. OBJECTIVE To report the incremental hospital resources consumed with treating adverse events experienced by Medicare beneficiaries undergoing a two or three vertebrae level cervical spinal fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Hospitals are increasingly at financial risk for patients experiencing adverse events due "pay for performance." Little is known about incremental resources consumed when treating patients who experienced an adverse event after cervical spinal fusions. METHODS Fiscal years 2013 and 2014 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file was used to identify 86,265 beneficiaries who underwent 2 or 3 vertebrae level cervical spinal fusion. International Classification of Diseases 9th Clinical Modification diagnostic and procedure codes were used to identify 10 adverse events. This study estimated both the observed and risk-adjusted incremental hospital resources consumed (cost [2014 US $] and length-of-stay) in treating beneficiaries experiencing each adverse event. RESULTS Overall, 6.2% of beneficiaries undergoing cervical spinal fusion experienced at least one of the study's adverse events. Beneficiaries experiencing any complication consumed significantly more hospital resources (incremental cost of $28,638) and had longer length-of-stay (incremental stays of 9.1 days). After adjusting for patient demographics and comorbid conditions, incremental cost of treating adverse events ranged from $42,358 (infection) to $10,100 (dural tear). CONCLUSION Adverse events frequently occur and add substantially to the hospital costs of patients undergoing cervical spinal fusion. Shared decision-making instruments should clearly provide these risk estimates to the patient before surgical consideration. Investment in activities that have been shown to reduce specific adverse events is warranted, and this study may allow health systems to prioritize performance improvement areas. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.

BACKGROUND Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition that oftentimes causes significant knee pain in pediatric patient populations. If left untreated, OCD significantly increases the risk of developing degenerative osteoarthritis along with its associated consequences and costs. Although a genetic component has been suggested to play a role in this disorder, few studies have been carried out in order to determine the underlying genetic etiology of this relatively common complex trait. The goal of our study was to perform an initial genome-wide association study (GWAS) to uncover candidate loci associated with the pathogenesis of OCD. METHODS Blood samples were acquired from 2 cohorts, aged 0 to 18 years old, consisting of 209 OCD cases and 1855 population-matched controls. Agencourt Genfind DNA isolation technology was used to isolate high-quality DNA from each sample. Genotype data was then generated utilizing the Illumina Infinium BeadChip array to examine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). RESULTS In an initial GWAS analysis of our cohort, where a SNP was excluded if the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium test P

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES To report the incremental hospital resource consumption associated with treating selected adverse events experienced by Medicare beneficiaries undergoing a two- or three-level lumbar spinal fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Hospitals are increasingly at financial risk for the incremental resources consumed in treating patients experiencing adverse events because of public and private third-party payers' efforts to base hospital reimbursement on "pay for performance" measures. However, little is known about average incremental resources consumed in treating patients experiencing adverse events following lumbar spinal fusions. METHODS The 2013 fiscal year Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file was used to identify 83,658 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent two- or three vertebrae-level lumbar spinal fusion. International Classification of Diseases-9th-Clinical Modification diagnostic and procedure codes were used to identify the frequencies of nine adverse events. This study estimated both the observed and risk-adjusted incremental hospital resources consumed (cost and length of stay [LOS]) in treating Medicare beneficiaries experiencing each adverse event. RESULTS Overall, 17.7% of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing lumbar spinal fusion experienced at least one of the study's adverse events. Medicare beneficiaries experiencing any complication consumed significantly more hospital resources (incremental cost of $8911) and had longer LOS (incremental stays of 5.7 days). After adjusting for patient demographics and comorbid conditions, incremental cost of treating adverse events ranged from a high of $32,049 (infection) to a low of $9976 (transfusion). CONCLUSION Adverse events frequently occur and add substantially to the hospital resource costs of patients undergoing spinal fusion. Shared decision-making instruments should clearly provide these risk estimates to the patient before surgical consideration. Investment in activities that have been shown to reduce specific adverse events is warranted, and this project may allow health systems to prioritize performance improvement areas. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.

Background The anterolateral ligament (ALL) of the knee has been identified as a structure that limits internal rotation, and thus, affects the pivot shift mechanism. It has previously been reported in a high percentage of adult subjects. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether the ALL could be identified on pediatric cadaveric knee specimens and compare these findings to previously published reports. Methods Eight skeletally immature cadaver knee specimens were examined through gross dissection: ages 3 months, 4 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 3 years, 8 years, and 10 years. There were 3 male and 5 female (7 right, 1 left) specimens. The presence or absence of the ALL was documented in each specimen, through dissection, intermittent internal and external rotation of the tibia, and anterior translation of the tibia, to produce tension of the lateral collateral tissues and joint capsule. These dissections were performed by a group of fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons. Results The iliotibial band, entire lateral joint capsule, lateral collateral ligament, and popliteus were readily identified in each specimen. In 7 specimens, a distinct ALL structure was not identified during dissection. The ALL was identified in 1 of 8 specimens (1-year-old female, right knee). The ALL was further delineated under applied internal rotational stress. Conclusions Previous research has suggested that this ligament is present in the majority of adult specimens. This finding was not reproduced in the current study of pediatric cadaveric specimens, where only one of 8 specimens had an identifiable ALL. This suggests that this ligament may develop later in life, after physiological loads are applied to the joint capsule. Further research in both adult and pediatric knees needs to be conducted to further elucidate the development of this ligament, and the role of this structure in knee stability. Clinical relevance The ALL is a knee ligament that has been described in adults. However, it is unclear whether this structure is present or fully developed in younger populations. The current study sought to identify the ALL in pediatric cadaver knee specimens, identifying this structure in only one of 8 specimens. The findings of this study suggest that the ALL may be an inconsistent structure in the pediatric population.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) patellar insertion in skeletally immature anatomic specimens.Nine pediatric cadaveric knee specimens were examined through gross dissection. Metallic markers were placed at the MPFL patellar insertion footprint. Computed tomographic scans for each specimen were analyzed. The MPFL insertion footprint width, patellar height, and patellar width were measured. The distance from the MPFL insertion footprint center to the midline of the patella was assessed. The proportion of the patella that the MPFL footprint inserted upon was calculated.The mean width of the MPFL patellar insertion footprint was 12 mm (range, 8 to 18 mm). The mean patellar height was 31 mm (range, 20 to 48 mm). The mean patellar width was 27 mm (range, 21 to 39 mm). The center of the MPFL insertion footprint was found to be a mean 4.7 mm (range, -2 to 10.5 mm) above the midline of the patella, with insertion centers occurring both above and below the midline. The MPFL insertion footprint spanned a mean 41% (24% to 63%) of the longitudinal width of the patella.Most adult studies report the MPFL insertion on the upper 1/2 to 2/3 of the patella. This series of skeletally immature subjects demonstrated that the center of the MPFL insertion was above and below the midpoint of the patella. The MPFL insertions of some of the younger specimens did extend into the distal 1/3 of the patella. The insertion of the older specimens was found in the proximal 2/3 of the patella, a similar location to most previous adult anatomic studies.This research suggests that the MPFL insertion on the patella may be at slightly different locations in some skeletally immature subjects compared with adults. The specimens dissected in the present study showed more variability than previously published reports, with some insertions extending into the distal 1/3 of the patella in the youngest subjects. These dissections may be useful to surgeons performing MPFL reconstructions in skeletally immature patients.

Patellar dislocations are common in skeletally immature athletes, and the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is an important primary restraint to lateral patellar translation. The relationship between the MPFL femoral origin footprint and femoral physis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MPFL femoral origin footprint and its relationship to the femoral physis in skeletally immature anatomic specimens.Six skeletally immature cadaver knee specimens were examined through gross dissection (group A: 1, 11, and 11 mo; and group B: 8, 10, and 11 y). Metallic markers were placed at the center of the MPFL femoral origin footprint. Computed tomography scans for each specimen were analyzed. The MPFL footprint width, and the vertical distances from the center and proximal extent of the MPFL footprint to the medial aspect of the physis were measured.The mean width of the MPFL femoral origin footprint was 0.70 cm (0.48 to 1.09 cm) and 1.12 cm (1.03 to 1.29 cm) for groups A and B, respectively. The mean distance from the center of the MPFL origin footprint to medial aspect of the distal femoral physis was 0.90 cm (0.52 to 1.30 cm) and 0.40 cm (0.00 to 0.86 cm) distal to the physis for groups A and B, respectively. The mean distance from the proximal extent of the MPFL origin footprint to the medial aspect of the femoral physis was -0.55 cm (-0.28 to -1.03 cm) and 0.16 cm (-0.34 to 0.64 cm) for groups A and B, respectively.All subjects were found to have a center of the MPFL origin footprint at or below the physis. The proximal extent of the MPFL origin footprint was found to extend above the physis in the 2 older specimens.The relationship of the MPFL origin footprint to the femoral physis in the skeletally immature is not well understood. These dissections may be useful to surgeons performing MPFL reconstructions in skeletally immature patients.

Background The trochlear groove is the rarest location for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee, with only about 50 previously reported cases, most of which were treated before the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and modern techniques of cartilage fixation or osteochondral transplantation. The purpose of this multicenter study was to assess the patient presentation and clinical, radiographic, and functional results of treatment for trochlear groove OCD lesions. Methods Hospital records from 5 institutions of the Research in Osteochondritis of the Knee (ROCK) study group were retrospectively reviewed for cases of trochlear groove OCD. Demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, time to pain resolution, and return to sports were recorded. Lesion appearance, size, stability, and time to radiographic healing were evaluated on plain x-rays and MRIs. Results Trochlear groove OCD lesions were evaluated in 24 knees in 21 adolescents (17 male, 4 female), with an average age of 14 years (range, 10 to 18 y). Fifty-four percent (13/24) of the lesions were identifiable on radiographs, and all were identifiable on MRI, 38% of which (9/24) was unstable. One fourth (6/24) of knees had coexistent femoral condyle OCD lesions. Treatment outcomes were evaluated in patients with a minimum of 1-year follow-up (average: 3 y; range: 1 to 12 y) or healing before 1 year. Half of the knees (2/4) treated nonoperatively and two thirds (8/12) treated operatively showed radiographic signs of healing with patients returning to full activity without pain. Operative treatment success rates were as follows: drilling (3/3), fixation (3/3), microfracture (1/2), drilling with subsequent delayed microfracture (1/1), and drilling with fixation (0/3). Conclusions MRI aids in the diagnosis and staging of trochlear groove OCD lesions, as almost one half may not be identifiable on radiographs, and one quarter are associated with OCD lesions in other locations of the same knee. Multiple operative treatments can be used to achieve healing or resolution of symptoms in stable and unstable lesions; however, a larger comparative study is needed to make specific recommendations. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV.

Background: Understanding the relationship of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) to the femoral and tibial physes is important to reducing the risk of physeal injury during surgical reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to identify the location of the attachments of the PCL and LCL in skeletally immature cadaveric knee specimens and to determine their position relative to the physes. Methods: Seven skeletally immature cadaveric knee specimens were examined through gross dissection. These specimens were divided into two groups: infants (an age at death of one month for one specimen and eleven months for two specimens) and children (an age at death of eight years for one specimen, ten years for one specimen, and eleven years for two specimens). Metallic markers were placed at the femoral origins of the PCL and LCL and at the tibial insertion of the PCL. Computed tomography (CT) scans were made for each specimen and analyzed with the use of OsiriX imaging software. The width of the PCL tibial insertion footprint and the height of the PCL femoral origin footprint, the distance from the midpoints of the PCL and LCL femoral origin to the distal femoral physis, and the distance from the PCL insertion footprint midpoint to the proximal tibial physis were measured. Results: The mean distance from the midpoint of the femoral origin footprint of the PCL to the femoral physis was 11.1 mm (range, 10.6 to 11.7 mm) and 18.8 mm (range, 18.2 to 19.2 mm) distal to the physis for infants and children, respectively. The mean distance from the midpoint of the tibial insertion footprint of the PCL to the tibial physis was 3.1 mm (range, 0.0 to 5.7 mm) and 5.8 mm (range, 2.5 to 8.9 mm) proximal to the physis for infants and children, respectively. The mean width of the tibial insertion of the PCL was 5.5 mm (range, 1.1 to 8.3 mm) for infants and 10.2 mm (range, 8.4 to 11.9 mm) for children. The mean distance from the midpoint of the femoral origin of the LCL to the femoral physis was 6.3 mm (range, 3.9 to 7.7 mm) and 5.9 mm (range, 0.0 to 10.0 mm) distal to the physis for infants and children, respectively. Conclusions: The relationship of the PCL and LCL attachments to physeal structures has not been well described. We found the midpoints of the PCL and LCL femoral origins at or distal to, and the midpoint of the PCL tibial insertion at or proximal to, the respective physis in all specimens. This study with CT-scan correlation provides unique information on the location of ligament attachments in relation to the physes. Clinical Relevance: A better understanding of the spatial relationship between the PCL and LCL attachments and their respective physes may help guide drill-hole placement during ligament reconstructions and reduce the risk for iatrogenic physeal injury in skeletally immature patients.

Orthopaedic leaders need to create a shared vision and must establish trust, open lines of communication, and buy-in from all team members in order to establish a culture that is supportive of quality improvement. Leaders should encourage teams to follow evidence-based guidelines, reduce variation, take an active role in supply chain processes, and develop new ideas to improve quality and safety of care. With rapidly changing medical and surgical advancements, orthopaedic leaders must continually adapt in the face of evolving challenges.

This article was updated on June 30, 2015, because of a previous error. The name of one of the authors, which had previously read “Gregory D. Meyer, PhD,” has been corrected to read “Gregory D. Myer, PhD.” An erratum has been published: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015 Aug 5;97(15):e57. The AAOS Evidence-Based Guideline on Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries includes both diagnosis and treatment. This clinical practice guideline has been endorsed by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). This brief summary of the AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline contains a list of the recommendations and the rating of strength based on the quality of the supporting evidence. Discussion of how each recommendation was developed and the complete evidence report are contained in the full guideline at www.aaos.org/guidelines. ### ACL HISTORY AND PHYSICAL Strong evidence supports that the practitioner should obtain a relevant history and perform a musculoskeletal exam of the lower extremities, because these are effective diagnostic tools for ACL injury. Strength of Recommendation: Strong ★★★★ ### ACL RADIOGRAPHS In the absence of reliable evidence, it is the opinion of …

Although many etiological theories have been proposed for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), its etiology remains unclear. Histological analysis of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone tissues of OCD lesions can provide useful information about the cellular changes and progression of OCD. Previous research is predominantly comprised of retrospective clinical studies from which limited conclusions can be drawn.The purposes of this study were threefold: (1) Is osteonecrosis a consistent finding in OCD biopsy specimens? (2) Is normal articular cartilage a consistent finding in OCD biopsy specimens? (3) Do histological studies propose an etiology for OCD based on the tissue findings?We searched the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases for studies that conducted histological analyses of OCD lesions of the knee and identified 1560 articles. Of these, 11 met our inclusion criteria: a study of OCD lesions about the knee, published in the English language, and performed a histological analysis of subchondral bone and articular cartilage. These 11 studies were assessed for an etiology proposed in the study based on the study findings.Seven of 11 studies reported subchondral bone necrosis. Four studies reported normal articular cartilage, two studies reported degenerated or irregular articular cartilage, and five studies found a combination of normal and degenerated or irregular articular cartilage. Five studies proposed trauma or repetitive stress and two studies proposed poor blood supply as possible etiologies.We found limited research on histological analysis of OCD lesions of the knee. Future studies with consistent methodology are necessary to draw major conclusions about the histology and progression of OCD lesions. Inconsistent histologic findings have resulted in a lack of consensus regarding the presence of osteonecrosis, whether the necrosis is primary or secondary, the association of cartilage degeneration, and the etiology of OCD. Such studies could use a standardized grading system to allow better comparison of findings.

Background Lawnmower injuries remain a preventable cause of serious morbidity and even mortality in children. We aimed to characterize lawnmower injuries in children and to describe reported mechanisms through a review of the literature to better understand these injuries and their prevention. Methods The Embase and MEDLINE databases were queried for studies pertaining to pediatric lawnmower injuries, along with manual searching of references of included studies and Google Scholar searches. Reviews and case reports were excluded. Studies relating to lawnmower injuries were broadly included to ensure capture of the relevant studies. Studies with both adult and pediatric data were included if pediatric data were granular and available for separate analysis. Results Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria: 8 single-center series and 5 national database studies. Age of injury was bimodal with peak frequencies at ages 3 and 16 years. National studies estimated a mean of 11.2 injuries per 100,000 children, with 5% to 8% of patients hospitalized. Analysis of both single-center series and national database studies revealed 3 major mechanisms of injury: blade injuries, projectile injuries, and burn injuries. Blade injuries resulted in higher morbidity, with a greater need for operative management, amputation, and longer length of hospitalization. Similarly, rider mowers posed a greater injury risk than push mowers. Conclusions This systematic review of lawnmower injuries in children identified patterns and mechanisms of injuries across the literature that may serve to educate parents, policy-makers, and health-care providers as well as provide data to develop and improve prevention strategies.

BACKGROUND Widespread variation in state laws produces significant differences in state-to-state liability risk and insurance cost. These variations may produce higher medical liability for certain pediatric practitioners because many states have a significantly longer period of potential liability for physicians caring for children. This study reviewed state laws for variability in the period of medical liability for pediatric and adult patients and considered some of the impacts resulting from such variability. METHODS Statutes of limitations applicable to claims for medical malpractice were reviewed for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as were laws that affect the statute of limitations based on a patient's age. For each state, the average, minimum, and maximum values for the statute of limitations in years were calculated for the following age groups: newborn, 6, 12, and 25 years. RESULTS In most states, the length of time a claimant has to bring a claim is longer for the youngest patients and decreases as patients get older. In the United States, the average time to bring a claim in years for a newborn and those aged 6, 12, and 25 years was 12, 8, 5, and 2 years, respectively. The maximum time to bring a claim in years for a newborn and those aged 6, 12, and 25 years was 23, 17, 11, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS States demonstrate significant variability in the duration and application of statutes of limitations, with younger patients typically having a longer period to file a liability lawsuit. In most regions, pediatric practitioners face increased liability risk based upon significantly longer limitation periods for minor patients. Studies have suggested that medical students are considering specialty liability risk when choosing careers. Increased liability risk faced by pediatric specialists may lead to fewer practitioners entering these fields. Extended periods of liability for pediatric specialists need additional study to evaluate the effects on liability insurance, specialty choice, and specialty care access. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Descriptive study (audit of existing laws), level of evidence 2.

The benefits provided by rapid prototyping (RP) of patient anomalies in complex surgeries of the pediatric spine and pelvis were elucidated and characterized.Surgeons involved in the study were solicited from the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and the network of Shriners Hospitals for Children throughout the United States. Rapid prototyping models were created at Boise State University through a federally funded Economic Development Agency grant (Economic Development Agency Project Number 07-79-05312). Rapid prototyping models and detailed survey forms were supplied to lead surgeons for 13 cases of multiplane spinal or pelvic deformity.Results indicated that surgeons found RP models useful for preoperative planning, reference during surgery, communication with patients, and for increasing the safety of the procedure. Rapid prototyping models also led to a reduction in operating time in 4 of the 5 surgeries to correct congenital scoliosis/kyphosis.Surgeons can expect properly constructed RP models to provide significant benefits for complex surgeries of the pediatric spine and pelvis in the areas of preoperative planning, intrasurgical navigation, and communication with patients. A reduction in operating time may also be expected for cases of congenital scoliosis/kyphosis.This study was a type II prospective observational study of physicians' perceptions of the use of RP models to assist with surgical cases. Results provided by this study suggest expected benefits from application of RP in surgeries of the pediatric spine and pelvis with complex deformities.

Background: Studies have suggested that exercise programs can reduce the incidence of noncontact injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament in female athletes. We conducted a two-year prospective study to assess the effects of a knee ligament injury prevention exercise program on the incidence of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in high-school female athletes. Methods: A prospective cohort design was used to study high-school female athletes (playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball) from fifteen schools (112 teams) for two consecutive seasons. The schools were divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group participated in a plyometric-based exercise program twice a week throughout the season. Practice and game exposures and compliance with the exercise program were recorded on a weekly basis. Suspected noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries were confirmed on the basis of the history as well as at the time of surgery and/or with magnetic resonance imaging. Results: A total of 1439 athletes (862 in the control group and 577 in the treatment group) were monitored. There were six confirmed noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries: three in the treatment group, and three in the control group. The incidence of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries per 1000 exposures was 0.167 in the treatment group and 0.078 in the control group, yielding an odds ratio of 2.05, which was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that a twenty-minute plyometric-based exercise program that focuses on the mechanics of landing from a jump and deceleration when running performed twice a week throughout the season will not reduce the rate of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in high-school female athletes. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The purpose of this study was to examine lower extremity kinematics following implementation of the Sportsmetrics Warm-Up for Injury Prevention and Performance (WIPP) training program. The hypothesis was that there would be no difference in landing mechanics between 2 groups of female youth soccer players (9-11 years of age), with 1 group (Treatment) completing the 8-week-duration (2 days per week) WIPP program and the other serving as a Control group. We recruited 21 female youth soccer players. Treatment (n = 12) and Control (n = 9) groups were established. Using the Sportsmetrics Software for Analysis of Jumping Mechanics, we analyzed lower extremity movement during landing after subjects jumped off a 30.5-cm box and immediately went into a vertical jump. No significant changes in knee separation values were observed in the Treatment group after 8 weeks of WIPP training. The results indicate that 8 weeks of WIPP training did not significantly alter landing strategies.

Injury claims from an insurance company specializing in soccer coverage were reviewed for a 5-year period. A total of 8215 injury claims (3340 females, 4875 males) were divided into three categories: (1) all injury, (2) knee injury, and (3) ACL injury. Knee injuries accounted for 22% of all injuries (30% female, 16% male). ACL injury claims represented 31% of total knee injury claims (37% female, 24% males). The youngest ACL injury was age 5. The ratio of knee injury/all injury increased with age. Compared with males, females demonstrated a higher ratio of knee injury/all injury and a higher ratio of ACL injury/all injury. This study demonstrates that ACL injury occurs in skeletally immature soccer players and that females appear to have an increased risk of ACL injury and knee injury compared with males, even in the skeletally immature. Future research related to ACL injury in females will need to consider skeletally immature patients.

The longitudinal epiphyseal bracket is a rare ossification defect of tubular bones in the hand and foot. This deformity contains an abnormal secondary ossification center, which may lead to progressive shortening and angular deformity of involved bones. This article describes the results from early treatment of this deformity before the secondary ossification center ossifies. Four patients with seven involved bones (5 metatarsals and 2 phalanges) were treated with surgical excision of the longitudinal epiphyseal brackets, without corrective osteotomy. The average age at surgery was 16 months (range, 6-20 months), and the average follow-up period was 55 months (range, 31-80 months). All five metatarsal patients demonstrated progressive improvement in the deformity. Of the two phalanx patients, one improved and the other did not. Early treatment of the longitudinal epiphyseal bracket before ossification of the secondary center with excision is effective in correcting this deformity. Long-term follow-up assessment until skeletal maturity is necessary to assess the final results of surgery because corrective osteotomy may be necessary for patients who do not have adequate correction.

Valgus slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a rare entity; approximately, 26 cases in 31 hips have been reported in the orthopedic literature since 1926. It has been argued that epiphyseal displacement occurs only in a posterior or posteromedial direction, and that the radiographic appearance of true valgus or lateral slippage is an optical illusion owing to the rotation of the femur. We present the cases of two sisters with bilateral lateral slipped capital femoral epiphysis without a posterior component of displacement. In these cases, the radiographs suggested that the direction of displacement was in the lateral plane and was confirmed with computerized tomography and three-dimensional reconstructions. Analysis demonstrated the absence of posterior slippage of the proximal femoral epiphysis. The slippage was treated with percutaneous screw placement. In cases in which the direction of the slip may be in question, advanced imaging techniques may be useful for precise determination of the screw placement. This may assist in the preoperative planning, and reduce the risk of inappropriate screw placement J Pediatr Orthop B 16:201–203 c 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

A microvascularized free fibular graft was used to reconstruct a skeletal defect after tumor reconstruction in 13 consecutive patients. The patients were evaluated at an average follow-up of 53 months (range, 30-71). The status of each graft was evaluated for time to union, hypertrophy, functional evaluation, and complications. The average time to union was 6.5 months, and significant graft hypertrophy occurred in eight of 13 patients. Complications occurred in seven patients. Two of the 13 patients required removal of the microvascularized graft. Functional evaluation according the the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society yielded an average score of 90 (range, 83-97). The results were rated good or excellent in 11 of 13 patients, and two were rated failures. The microvascularized fibular graft provides an attractive option for the reconstruction of skeletal defects after tumor resection. The results of this procedure are especially good in skeletally immature patients.

The advantages of use of vascularized grafts as compared with use of non-vascularized grafts have been demonstrated experimentally and clinically in skeletally mature individuals. These advantages include skeletal healing without creeping substitution22 of the graft from the surrounding host bone8,29; more rapid incorporation and union9; lower rates of fracture, infection, resorption, and non-union3,12,31; the option of using the grafts for the treatment of established infections8,15 and segmental defects larger than five centimeters3,8; greater initial strength8,18,25; remodeling in a manner similar to that of viable bone8,16,18,25; the ability to respond to biomechanical loading physiologically9,13,18,25; increased hypertrophy7; and a decreased duration of immobilization after implantation11. Another, theoretical advantage of use of a microvascularized fibular graft is the potential for growth of the graft through the open physis. Continued growth of the physis after vascularized bone transfer was demonstrated by Weiland in a dog model as reported by Burwell et al.4. Microvascular transfer of the combined physis and epiphysis after digital amputation has resulted in longitudinal growth in children20. We describe the case of a patient who had excision of an osteosarcoma of the proximal part of the humerus. The skeletal defect was treated with insertion of a microvascularized free fibular graft, including the proximal physis and epiphysis, into the glenohumeral joint. The proximal physis remained open and demonstrated continued growth and remodeling four years after the transfer. An eight-year-old girl was seen because she had had pain in the right shoulder for three months. There was no history of trauma. The findings …

Polarized light microscopy has been used for more than forty years to identify polyethylene particles in histological specimens; however, few investigators have assessed the specificity of this technique. We examined specimens from dissected lymph nodes for the presence of strongly birefringent particles resembling polyethylene. Twenty-seven patients had dissection of lymph nodes after a total joint replacement (Group 1), and a control group of eighteen patients had dissection of lymph nodes before a total joint replacement (Group 2). Specimens from both groups of lymph nodes were examined under plain and polarized light. The presence of strongly birefringent particulate debris was graded from 0 to 4. Twenty-one (78 per cent) of the twenty-seven patients in Group 1 and eight of the eighteen patients in Group 2 had strongly birefringent particles in the lymph nodes. Our results demonstrate that, in the assessment of the systemic dissemination of polyethylene in the lymphoreticular system, polarized light microscopy has important limitations. More refined techniques employing polarized light and other methods of physical and chemical analysis may be necessary to identify polyethylene particles accurately within the lymphoreticular system and periprosthetic tissue.

Clinical practice guidelines are statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care that are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options1. In recent months, members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Committee on Evidence-Based Quality and Value (EBQV) have incorporated important changes to the processes and language of the AAOS Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). The goal was to increase the clinical value to our members while maintaining high standards. EBQV committee members considered input from individual AAOS members, the specialty societies, and peer reviewers and also scanned the CPG development processes from other organizations prior to taking steps to improve the AAOS program. The AAOS quality program includes a rigorous, evidence-based-guideline-development process that meets all standards for developing trustworthy clinical practice guidelines as recommended by the 2011 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report entitled “Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust.”1 These standards include establishing transparency, managing conflicts of interest, involving multidisciplinary experts and relevant stakeholders, assessing risk of study bias during systematic review construction, establishing evidence foundations for and rating the strength of recommendations, articulating recommendations in a standardized form that details the recommended action, having an external review process, and monitoring the literature and updating when appropriate. To enhance the clinical usefulness and clarity of the guideline recommendations, the EBQV committee adopted the changes listed below. The following list summarizes changes to the AAOS CPG methodology. ### Clarify Roles for Experts with Potential Financial Conflicts As mentioned previously, the AAOS CPG procedure meets all IOM standards for developing a trustworthy guideline, including managing …

The peroneus longus has long been known as a plantar flexor of the first ray, which, with muscle imbalance as seen in neurovascular disease, can lead to cavovarus of the foot. This article describes a traumatic laceration of the peroneus brevis that went on to cause cavovarus presumably by its inactivity as an everter of the foot. This substantiates the need for primary repair of this major tendon as well as raises interesting biomechanical issues in foot mechanics.

All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request.

Patellar instability is a common problem in the pediatric population and has an estimated annual incidence of forty-three in 100,0001. More recently, the rate of recurrent patellar instability in the pediatric population has been reported to be as high as 70%2. It is well known that the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is an important stabilizer of the patella and supplies between 50% and 60% of the restraining force to lateral patellar translation3-5. Localizing and recreating the anatomic femoral insertion of the MPFL is important for surgical treatment since malpositioned grafts can lead to patellofemoral overload or recurrent instability6. Locating the anatomic femoral position of the MPFL in adults has been simplified by utilizing radiographic osseous landmarks with intraoperative fluoroscopy7. In children, the exact location of the MPFL relative to the distal femoral physis remains controversial. Utilizing the principles of the perfect lateral radiograph described in a study by Schottle et al. in 20077, Shea et al.8 have suggested that the midsubstance of the MPFL origin lies just proximal to the distal femoral physis. However, a radiographic-based study by Nelitz et al.9 and a study by Ladd et al.10 based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) both concluded that the MPFL femoral insertion is located distal to the physis. Furthermore, an MRI study by Kepler et al.11 identified the MPFL insertion to be variable, with 86% attaching distal to the physis, 7% attaching on the physis, and 7% attaching proximal to the physis. These discordant results make it difficult to decide where the most appropriate “anatomic” location truly lies. This translates into some surgeons recommending femoral graft placement proximal to the physis, while other surgeons recommend placement distal to the physis. This becomes more …

To The Editor: We read with great interest Anderson's article “Transepiphyseal Replacement of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Skeletally Immature Patients. A Preliminary Report” (2003;85:1255-63). Anterior cruciate ligament injury is being recognized more frequently in children and adolescents, and development of an operative protocol for treating this injury is needed. As Anderson discussed, nonoperative treatment is likely to result in a poor outcome, especially for athletes. We compliment Dr. Anderson on the quality of his work and the detailed follow-up information. In the past fifteen years, extensive work has been done, most notably by Stephen Howell, on the optimum placement of the tibial tunnel during anterior cruciate reconstruction. Howell and others have shown that impingement of the graft may occur if it is placed too far anteriorly, leading to anterior knee pain, impaired extension, and graft failure. In order to avoid impingement of the graft on the roof of the intercondylar notch, the graft should emerge on the tibial plateau in the posterior aspect of the footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament1 and be placed such that it is posterior to the intercondylar roof2. The location of the tibial footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament in children has been documented. It can be found in children by measuring posteriorly from the anterior margin of the tibial tubercle … Corresponding author: Kevin G. Shea, MD 600 North Robbins Road, Suite 401 Boise, ID 83702 kgshea{at}aol.com