Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children and adolescents has been growing recently. This problem is a challenge for the treating orthopedic surgeon, especially when the patient is in the prepubertal period with a high growth potential. Since reconstructive procedures require interventions close to active growth plates, they are associated with the risk of postoperative limb length discrepancies and limb deformities. Postponing ACL reconstruction until the end of growth is not a solution, as persistent knee instability increases the risk of secondary intra-articular damage. The key to success is not only knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanics of the pediatric knee but also the ability to predict the remaining growth potential and familiarity with a wide range of reconstructive surgical procedures available for patients at different ages.