Unusual case of a surgically treated ACL tear in a 4-year-old patient

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Sports medicine

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are increasingly diagnosed in pediatric populations.
• Traditionally, non-surgical management was preferred for pediatric ACL tears.
• Evolving understanding of immature skeletal histology influences treatment decisions.

Observation:

• A rare case of a 4-year-old child with an ACL tear following high-energy trauma is presented.
• The patient experienced chronic spontaneous knee subluxation during flexion and extension.
• Surgical intervention was pursued due to the severity and chronicity of symptoms.

Findings:

• An extra-articular ligamental reconstruction technique was successfully employed.
• The child demonstrated positive clinical outcomes 4 years after the surgical procedure.
• This case highlights the feasibility of surgical repair in very young patients.

Implications:

• Surgical reconstruction for pediatric ACL tears is gaining traction.
• This approach may offer a viable alternative to non-surgical management in select pediatric cases.
• Further research into surgical techniques for immature skeletons is warranted.