Purpose of review
To review the most recent literature on the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric
anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Recent findings
There is an increasing prevalence of
anterior cruciate ligament injuries in pediatric and
adolescent athletes, and nonoperative management of these injuries results in worse outcomes than surgical reconstruction. Prevention exercise protocols are cost-effective in preventing this injury in
adolescent athletes. A number of techniques are currently in practice that address
anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the skeletally immature, but there is no consensus on the optimal technique.
Summary
The reported clinical outcomes from
anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in young patients are favorable.
