Management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature adolescents.
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.
Shelbourne
K D
KD
Methodist Sports Medicine Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Patel
D V
DV
McCarroll
J R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000465:Algorithms; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012741:Sexual Maturation