Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40957368›Full record

ArticleClinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)2025

Physeal-sparing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in an early adolescent porcine model provides better anterior stability but similar tissue function compared to a juvenile porcine model.

Kaan Gurbuz, Yukun Zhang, Logan Opperman, Jeffrey T Spang, Matthew B Fisher

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Kaan GurbuzLampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA; Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Kayseri Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Kayseri, Türkiye.
Yukun ZhangLampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. Electronic address: yzhan288@ncsu.edu.
Logan OppermanDepartment of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. Electronic address: lopperm@ncsu.edu.
Jeffrey T SpangDepartment of Orthopaedics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: jspang@med.unc.edu.
Matthew B FisherLampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Raleigh, NC, USA; Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Department of Orthopaedics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Electronic address: mbfisher@ncsu.edu.

Funding

Sex- and Age-dependent ACL Function in the Growing Knee JointR01AR071985 · NIAMS · NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY RALEIGH · PI Matthew B Fisher · 2018 to 2026
$3.6M
NIAMS NIH HHS R01 AR071985
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPediatric anterior cruciate ligament injuries have increased over the past two decades. Surgical reconstruction is often necessary to restore joint stability and prevent secondary injuries. Physeal-sparing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is commonly used in prepubertal patients to minimize the risk of growth disturbances. However, this technique has also been used for adolescents. The effect of age on joint stability and tissue function following physeal-sparing reconstruction remains unclear. This study aimed to compare initial biomechanical outcomes of physeal-sparing reconstruction within juvenile and early adolescent porcine joints.

methodsTwelve porcine hindlimbs (n = 6 per age group) were tested using a robotic testing system. Anterior-posterior loading, compression loading, and varus-valgus torque were applied to the tibia in the intact, anterior cruciate ligament transected, and anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed states at 40° and 60° of flexion. Soft tissue forces were calculated by the principle of superposition.

findingsPhyseal-sparing reconstruction in early adolescent joints resulted in superior anterior stability under anterior tibial loading and compression compared to juvenile joints, especially when normalized for joint size. Medial collateral ligament distraction and medial meniscus compression contributions showed smaller changes following reconstruction in the early adolescent group at 60° of flexion. Other joint kinematics and tissue forces were similar between groups.

interpretationThese findings suggest that skeletal maturity influences joint stability following physeal-sparing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, supporting its viability for both younger and early adolescent patients. This study provides biomechanical insights into surgical treatments for young patients and underscores the importance of using age-specific models to evaluate pediatric surgical techniques.

Indexed as

Anterior Cruciate LigamentAnterior Cruciate Ligament ReconstructionAnimalsAnterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesBiomechanical PhenomenaKnee JointRange of Motion, ArticularSwineTibiaTorqueACLKneePediatricsPhyseal-sparingRobotic testing

Identifiers

PMID40957368
PMCPMC12958063

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.