Manangement of ACL tear in paediatric age group: A review of literature

Publication date: January–April 2018Source: Journal of Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery, Volume 5, Issue 1Author(s): Manish DiwakarAbstractThe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a stabilizing structure to both anterior translation of the tibia with respect to the femur as well as rotation of the knee joint. The incidence of ACL tears is rising in the pediatric and adolescent populations as these individuals succumb to traumatic and non-traumatic athletic injuries. Pediatric ACL injuries are typically seen in several forms: tibial avulsion fractures, partial ACL tears, and full thickness ligament tears. Management of this condition in the skeletally immature patient poses a challenge and is controversial.Operative reconstruction carries the concern for damage to the physis with resultant limb length inequality and angular joint deformity but provides stability to the knee and allows return of function in most patients. On the other hand, nonoperative treatment has been shown to carry an increased risk of meniscal and articular cartilage damage. Several factors must be considered during pediatric and adolescent ACL reconstruction, including: status of the physis, reconstruction technique, and graft source.This paper aims to address the natural course of ACL injuries in the skeletally immature patient, treatment options with associated complications, and current preventive strategies.
Source: Journal of Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research