Management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature adolescents

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1996;4(2):68-74. doi: 10.1007/BF01477256.

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in skeletally immature adolescents are being diagnosed and reported with increasing frequency. Nonoperative management of mid-substance ACL injuries in adolescent athletes frequently results in a high incidence of giving-way episodes, recurrent meniscal tears, and early onset of osteoarthritis. An intraarticular ACL reconstruction (using the central 10-mm patellar tendon graft) in young athletes approaching skeletal maturity provides predictable excellent knee stability, and the athletes are able to return to competitive sports with a decreased risk of recurrent meniscal and/or chondral injury. Guidelines for the management of ACL injuries in skeletally immature adolescents are presented.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Algorithms
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / diagnostic imaging
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
  • Athletic Injuries / complications
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Athletic Injuries / surgery
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / etiology
  • Male
  • Osteoarthritis / etiology
  • Patient Compliance
  • Radiography
  • Recurrence
  • Sexual Maturation