In contrast to the treatment of avulsion lesions of the anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) the management of intrasubstance ACL tears in the skeletally immature patient
remains controversial. Prospective studies could show that conservative treatment
results in severe instability with concomitant intraarticular damage and poor function
of the knee. Reconstruction of a torn ACL always carries the risk of damaging the
open growth plates; with consecutively affecting the longitudinal or axial growth
of the lower extremity either on the femoral or the tibial side. Thus, several surgical
procedures are available to prevent adverse events mentioned above. The purpose of
this study is to review the recent literature regarding the treatment algorithm for
ACL injuries in skeletally immature patients. This review will (1) investigate the
indications for ACL surgery in children; (2) determine if a surgical procedure is
clinically superior in skeletally immature patients; and (3) correlate the adverse
events with the surgical technique.
Keywords
anterior cruciate ligament - surgery - children
