J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2018 Jun;53(3):193-200. 10.4055/jkoa.2018.53.3.193.

Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Children and Adolescents

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea. sjoo@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

With the increased participation in sports activity, there is an increased tendency of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children and adolescents. Nonsurgical management including activity modification, bracing, and physical therapy, is best used for patients with partial tears involving < 50% of the ACL diameter. In patients with complete ruptures, chronological, physiological, and skeletal maturity must be assessed to select the appropriate surgical technique. This paper reviews the management of ACL tears in skeletally immature patients.

Keyword

anterior cruciate ligament; child; adolescent; management

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Anterior Cruciate Ligament*
Braces
Child*
Humans
Rupture
Sports
Tears

Figure

  • Figure 1 Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging of a patient with a complete anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

  • Figure 2 Treatment algorithm for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in a skeletally immature patient. The ages referenced are the bone ages.

  • Figure 3 Guide pin insertion for lateral epiphyseal femoral tunnel (A) and an oblique epiphyseal tibial tunnel in the physeal-sparing technique (B).


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