Paediatric ACL Injuries

Over the past decades, a global and concerning increase of paediatric ACL injuries has been observed. Even though an intensified focus on paediatric ACL injuries has increased detection rates, professional demands being placed on young athletes have undoubtedly increased the susceptibility to paediatric ACL injuries. ACL related injuries account for approximately one-third of paediatric knee injuries in football players between the ages of 5 and 18 years and comprise cartilaginous and bony ACL avulsions as well as partial and complete ACL tears. In the treatment of paediatric ACL related injuries, the risk of recurrent instability with consecutive chondral and meniscal injury associated with non-operative treatment must be weighed against the risk of surgical complications including growth disturbance. Several paediatric ACLR techniques including physeal sparing and transphyseal techniques have been described in the literature associated with promising results, albeit data on long term outcomes and complication rates are typically scarce. Injury prevention programs are of paramount importance. However, the implementation of these programs represents a challenge.