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Disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament in a 4-year-old child

R A Schaefer1, R E Eilert, S D Gillogly

  • 1Orthopedic Service, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.

Orthopaedic Review
|June 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are uncommon in young children. This case study offers an 11-year follow-up, providing rare insights into the long-term outcomes of pediatric ACL tears in a very young patient.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatric Sports Medicine
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are infrequent in skeletally immature patients.
  • The natural history and long-term outcomes of ACL injuries in young children remain largely unknown.
  • Limited data exists on pediatric ACL tears, especially in pre-pubertal or very young children.

Observation:

  • This report details the longest documented follow-up period (11 years) for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a child under five years old.
  • The case involves a pediatric patient with a confirmed ACL injury.
  • The study focuses on the long-term clinical course and outcomes following the injury.

Findings:

  • The 11-year follow-up provides unprecedented longitudinal data on ACL injury in a pre-school-aged child.
  • This case contributes valuable information to the sparse literature on pediatric ACL injuries.
  • The findings may help elucidate the long-term consequences and recovery patterns in this specific demographic.

Implications:

  • Understanding the natural history of pediatric ACL injuries is crucial for appropriate management and treatment strategies.
  • This case highlights the need for further research into the long-term effects of ACL tears in very young athletes.
  • The data can inform clinical decision-making and patient counseling for families dealing with pediatric knee injuries.

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