Editorial Commentary: Repair Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tibial Eminence Fractures Early, Reconstruct Them Late.

Abstract

Tibial eminence fractures (TEFs) are classically pediatric injuries but occasionally occur in adults, creating uncertainty over whether to repair the avulsion or treat it as a standard anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture requiring reconstruction. While the data suggests comparable outcomes between ACL reconstruction for irreducible TEFs and suture fixation for reducible fractures, closer scrutiny reveals that delayed surgery and conservative rehabilitation protocols may have confounded results. Chronic TEFs, often associated with meniscal injury and extension loss, pose significant technical challenges whether treated with repair or reconstruction. Early fixation of acute, reducible TEFs allows for anatomic preservation and provides a "safety net," as failed repairs can convert to primary ACL reconstruction with outcomes similar to index reconstructions. Conversely, initial ACL reconstruction in chronic, irreducible cases remains reliable but sacrifices native tissue and landmarks. Ultimately, management should be individualized: repair early, reconstruct late. Early reduction and fixation optimize biological healing, while delayed or complex cases benefit from careful reconstruction. Surgeons should balance technical feasibility, tissue quality, and long-term revision implications when determining the best approach for adult TEFs.