Young Athletes and ACL Tears
ACL injuries are considered an epidemic in young athletes2 as “cutting and pivoting” sports such as soccer, football, and basketball become more popular. ACL tears can occur from stopping suddenly, pivoting, landing awkwardly, and other motions frequently used in these sports.
How Does the Anatomy of Children and Adults Differ?
More than one-third of our bone growth occurs early in life, with a “growth spurt” occurring around age 12 ½ for girls and age 14 for boys.3 Until we reach skeletal maturity, the ends of many bones—including the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia)—have an area of tissue at their ends called physes, or growth plates. As we mature, these physes eventually harden and become bone.4
When your child needs surgery for an ACL tear, a major consideration for your surgeon is how far along this skeletal growth is and avoiding impact on these growth plates.
Did You Know?
Skeletal age is not always the same as chronological age but it can easily be determined using x-rays or MRI.5
Potential Treatment Options
Like in adults, most ACL tears in young athletes will require surgery. Not surgically repairing an ACL tear or delaying surgery can have negative impacts, including risk of injury to the meniscus and the bones of the knee joint.6 ACL reconstructions require the surgeon to drill through the knee, pass a graft through, and secure it to the bone using suture, buttons, or screws.
However, If your child needs ACL surgery, there are several ACL reconstruction options that minimize impact on the growth plates located at the knee joint. Your child's doctor will choose the best surgical option, as well as the appropriate ACL graft, based on your child’s age, skeletal maturity, and other factors.
Explore potential treatment options by clicking on each below.
Arthrex ACL Reconstruction
Arthrex, a global leader in minimally invasive orthopedic surgical solutions, makes instruments that are specially sized for use in young patients (ages 10 and up) with smaller anatomy whose skeletal growth may still be ongoing. Pediatric ACL reconstruction has numerous benefits for these patients compared to traditional ACL reconstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the long-term effects of not surgically fixing an ACL tear?
Can my child tear their ACL?
What is an ACL tear?
What are the symptoms of an ACL tear?
If my child tears their ACL, will they need surgery?
How does ACL surgery differ for children?
Will ACL surgery impact my child’s growth?
What does the recovery process look like after ACL reconstruction?
Will my child be able to return to playing sports?
