Prevalence of Concomitant Injuries by Sport in Pediatric Patients With ACL Rupture

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Pediatric Traumatology

Background:

• The risk of associated injuries with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in adults is well-documented.
• However, similar data for pediatric and adolescent populations are lacking.
• This study addresses this gap by examining sport-specific injury patterns in young athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether specific sports are linked to an increased risk of concomitant injuries in pediatric patients with ACL tears.
• To test the hypothesis that the type of sport influences the likelihood of associated injuries in pediatric ACL tears.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 855 pediatric patients (≤18 years) who underwent primary ACL reconstruction.
• Information on sport, demographics, and injury patterns (meniscal, PCL, MCL, LCL tears) was collected.
• Statistical analysis compared injury rates across different sports and demographic factors.

Main Results:

• Soccer and football participation showed an 18% higher likelihood of concomitant injuries compared to basketball.
• Lateral meniscal tears were more frequent in males and in overweight/obese patients.
• No significant associations were found between age and specific concomitant injury patterns.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric soccer and football players are at a greater risk for concomitant injuries alongside ACL tears compared to basketball players.
• Findings enhance understanding of sport-specific ACL injury risks in youth.
• This information can guide clinical counseling and targeted injury prevention strategies.