Arthrex announces new research that shows its ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using the InternalBrace technique offers an effective solution to combat re-injuries for young athletes.
Several new studies confirm that the InternalBrace technique significantly reduces the rate of re-injuring, or re-tearing, a surgically reconstructed ACL. Patrick A. Smith, MD (Naples, Florida), a specialist in adolescent ACLR and ACL repair using the InternalBrace technique, and colleagues found an 88% reduction in the risk of ACL re-tears for younger patients who received the InternalBrace technique (1%) compared to those whose procedures did not include the technique (8%), with outcomes assessed at a minimum of 2 years in one study and 5 years in another.
In another study with adolescent patients who received a quadriceps tendon graft combined with the InternalBrace technique, Dr. Smith and colleagues found zero graft re-tears and a high return to sport (90%). Gordon Mackay, MD (Glasgow, UK), and colleagues also found a low re-tear rate of 1.1% in their patient population, with outcomes assessed at a 5-year follow-up.
According to the National ACL Injury Coalition, ACL injuries among high school athletes have surged by nearly 26% over the past 15 years. Soccer, basketball and lacrosse are among the top sports for ACL injuries in girls, while football, lacrosse and soccer lead for boys. Additionally, a recent study from the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that 2.4% of boys and 2.0% of girls aged 9-15 suffered from ACL injuries, highlighting a significant concern within the youth population.
Not only are ACL injuries rising among adolescent athletes, but research has shown that younger athletes who undergo ACLR and return to sports too quickly face an even higher risk of re-injury, which can result in costly treatment, extended rehabilitation and the possibility of long-term impairment. Fortunately, there are procedures and supplemental treatment options, such as the Arthrex InternalBrace technique, that may help improve the outcome of an ACLR.
