A Prospective Study of ACL Reconstruction in Children Using Living Donor Hamstring Allograft from a Parent

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying a new approach to reconstruct the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in children and young patients aged 8 to 17 years who have experienced an ACL rupture. This condition is increasingly identified in this age group, and surgery is usually recommended. The study evaluates a technique using hamstring tendons donated by a living adult donor, often a parent, instead of the child's own tendons or tendons from deceased donors, aiming to address challenges with graft size and durability in younger patients. The procedure involves the adult donor undergoing hamstring tendon removal under general anesthesia, while the child is prepared for ACL reconstruction surgery. The harvested graft is then implanted into the child using standard surgical methods. Patients will be followed for two years or until they reach skeletal maturity. Rehabilitation follows established pediatric guidelines, and patients will have regular clinical reviews and assessments throughout the study period. Participants will attend scheduled visits for subjective and objective knee assessments, including questionnaires and instrumented testing. Researchers will monitor outcomes such as knee function and stability at multiple intervals up to two years after surgery. Any adverse events will be reported according to regulatory requirements. The total participation time includes the surgery and follow-up visits over the two years or until skeletal maturity, whichever is later.

LIVing Donor Allograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Study