Age-specific over-the-top techniques for physeal sparing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients: Current concepts for prepubescents to older adolescents

Tailored surgical strategies for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients are presented, emphasizing techniques to minimize growth plate damage and ensure stability. As ACL injuries in youth increase, delaying surgery can lead to joint damage and poor recovery outcomes. Using magnetic resonance imaging-based assessments of skeletal maturity, the authors propose the ‘over-the-top (OTT)’ approach with lateral tenodesis, adapted for three growth stages: prepubescents, young adolescents and older adolescents. For prepubescents, the extra-physeal approach avoids growth plate drilling; for young adolescents, the supra-physeal technique places tunnels above the growth plate; and for older adolescents, the trans-physeal method mirrors adult techniques, as growth plates are closing. The minimally invasive OTT technique preserves hamstring insertion, ensures isometric graft placement, and allows for combined intra- and extra-articular procedures to improve rotational control and protect the graft. Clinical outcomes highlight high return-to-sport rates, minimal growth disturbances, and low failure rates, although older adolescents show higher graft failures due to activity levels. Various adaptations of the OTT and lateral tenodesis techniques utilizing hamstring tendons provide promising solutions for addressing ACL injuries in skeletally immature patients, ranging from prepubescence to late adolescence. Assessing skeletal age and estimating remaining bone growth are essential for selecting the most appropriate surgical method. The biomechanical principles and positive clinical results observed across different patient groups highlight these techniques as effective, safe and attractive options for managing these challenging cases. Level of Evidence: Level IV.