The conservative treatment of complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature patients

Age and gender effects on lower extremity kinematics of youth soccer players in a stop-jump task

BACKGROUND

Gender differences in lower extremity motion patterns were previously identified as a possible risk factor for non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in sports.

HYPOTHESIS

Gender differences in lower extremity kinematics in the stop-jump task are functions of age for youth soccer players between 11 and 16 years of age.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

METHODS

Three-dimensional videographic data were collected for 30 male and 30 female adolescent soccer players between 11 and 16 years of age performing a stop-jump task. The age effects on hip and knee joint angular motions were compared between genders using multiple regression analyses with dummy variables.

RESULTS

Gender and age have significant interaction effects on standing height (P = .00), body mass (P = .00), knee flexion angle at initial foot contact with the ground (P = .00), maximum knee flexion angle (P = .00), knee valgus-varus angle (P = .00), knee valgus-varus motion (P = .00), and hip flexion angle at initial foot contact with the ground (P = .00).

CONCLUSION

Youth female recreational soccer players have decreased knee and hip flexion angles at initial ground contact and decreased knee and hip flexion motions during the landing of the stop-jump task compared to those of their male counterparts. These gender differences in knee and hip flexion motion patterns of youth recreational soccer players occur after 12 years of age and increase with age before 16 years.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results of this study provide significant information for research on the prevention of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Anterior cruciate ligament injury in pediatric and adolescent soccer players: an analysis of insurance data

Injury claims from an insurance company specializing in soccer coverage were reviewed for a 5-year period. A total of 8215 injury claims (3340 females, 4875 males) were divided into three categories: (1) all injury, (2) knee injury, and (3) ACL injury. Knee injuries accounted for 22% of all injuries (30% female, 16% male). ACL injury claims represented 31% of total knee injury claims (37% female, 24% males). The youngest ACL injury was age 5. The ratio of knee injury/all injury increased with age. Compared with males, females demonstrated a higher ratio of knee injury/all injury and a higher ratio of ACL injury/all injury. This study demonstrates that ACL injury occurs in skeletally immature soccer players and that females appear to have an increased risk of ACL injury and knee injury compared with males, even in the skeletally immature. Future research related to ACL injury in females will need to consider skeletally immature patients.

Intra-articular traumatic disorders of the knee in children and adolescents

Intra-articular knee injuries in children traditionally have been considered rarer than injuries in adults. Few studies establish the prevalence of knee injuries before skeletal maturity, but arthroscopic studies suggest an increased frequency of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, meniscal tears, and osteochondral fractures. We report our experience with 15 anterior cruciate ligament injuries and 38 meniscus injuries treated between 1996 and 2001. The treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries is determined by Tanner's maturity criteria. In the three cases of Stage II injuries, surgery was delayed for up to 24 months in the 12 older patients, an immediate reconstruction was done using hamstring tendons in the three youngest patients, and patellar tendon treatment was done in the remaining cases. We had only one complication caused by the fracturing of the bone plug. The most frequent meniscus injuries were the traumatic tears (23 cases), 80% of which were peripheral and longitudinal. Whenever possible, the entire meniscus (suture in 4 cases) or the greater part of it (economic resection in 19 cases) should be conserved. Despite the satisfactory results, the average followup of the meniscal series (26.1 months) is too short a period to evaluate thoroughly the deterioration of the joint after a meniscectomy.

Arthroscopic cartilage indentation and cartilage lesions of anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees

BACKGROUND

The anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee is prone to osteoarthritis and meniscus lesions. Very little, however, is known about the biomechanical properties of articular cartilage in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees.

PURPOSE

To evaluate biomechanical and macroscopical cartilage changes in the knee joint with respect to the time after anterior cruciate ligament rupture.

HYPOTHESIS

Chronic anterior cruciate ligament deficiency induces cartilage softening.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

Cartilage stiffness of 50 patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery because of symptomatic knee instability after chronic anterior cruciate ligament rupture was measured with an arthroscopic indenter device, and the number and size of cartilage lesions were evaluated.

RESULTS

The cartilage stiffness did not correlate with time from trauma to surgery (r = 0.002, P = .99), but the number of cartilage lesions in the knee increased when the time from the initial trauma to reconstructive surgery increased (r = 0.356, P = .011). Indentation values measured on healthy-looking cartilage on damaged joint surfaces were lower than the values measured on healthy joint surfaces (P < .01 on lateral femoral condyle and on tibial plateaus).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of cartilage lesions increases with increased time after initial trauma. The arthroscopic indenter device is able to detect cartilage softening as the early mechanical sign of degradation not yet visible to the eye.

Modeling the growth plates in the pediatric knee: implications for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The authors develop 3-D models of the pediatric knee from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image files, with the goal of minimizing injury to the pediatric growth plate during surgery. Computerized tomography (CT) scans have better resolution and contrast between bone and soft tissue than MRI scans; however, surgeons rely upon MRI scans to plan knee-joint surgeries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Surgeons can use the virtual models to plan and verify surgical procedures such as hole drilling and ligament attachments, and to determine volume removed from a growth plate due to different drill-hole placements with various drill sizes.

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in children with open physes: evolving strategies of treatment

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most common sports-related injuries of the knee. Before the 1980s, the incidence of this injury in skeletally immature patients was thought to be rare. However, with the increasing participation of children in sports-related activities and an increased awareness and diagnostic capability of the medical community, midsubstance tears of the anterior cruciate ligament have become more common in patients with open physes. Significant controversy exists regarding management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in children with open physes. Traditional management has been nonoperative, consisting of physical therapy, bracing, and activity modification. Surgical reconstruction has generally been postponed until the patient is nearing, or has reached, skeletal maturity. In contrast to this traditional treatment algorithm, the recent literature uniformly indicates that nonoperative management of anterior cruciate ligament tears in children results in less than optimal results. Compliance is certainly an issue, and even though patients may refrain from organized sports activities, they are still going to be "kids." Recurrent instability, pain, and an inability to return to the preinjury level of athletics often result. Even more worrisome are the risks of secondary meniscal tears and the possibility of early degenerative joint disease. Recently, there has been an increased interest in early, aggressive operative management to restore stability to the immature knee. Proponents of nonoperative treatment point to the risk of growth arrest associated with violation of the physis. Proponents of early operative stabilization advocate that restoration of stability provides for opportunity to return to full activity and provides good long-term outcomes, all with minimal risk to the physis. This article reviews both the basic science and clinical research on this controversial topic.

An anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament tear in a skeletally immature patient: a new technique to augment primary repair of the medial collateral ligament and an allograft reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament

The goal of this case report is to fill a dual purpose. We describe a case involving a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in a skeletally immature athlete. At the same time, we describe a new technique with which we repaired the ACL with an allograft posterior tibialis tendon through intra-articular tunnels. A trial of conservative therapy for the MCL was performed. During surgery, its instability was assessed. No improvement was seen in stability, so a primary repair of the MCL was performed and augmented with an autograft gracilis tendon. The patient did well postoperatively, subsequently achieving equal stability and range of motion when compared with the opposite limb. He was back to competitive sports at 6 months.

Physeal-sparing intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in preadolescents

BACKGROUND

In the very young patient in need of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the option of reconstruction with physeal-sparing techniques is valid because it is not known what percentage of physeal transgression causes adverse growth consequences.

PURPOSE

To report our experience with an intraarticular technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction that spares the open femoral and tibial physes yet allows soft tissue graft fixation in the femoral and tibial tunnels.

METHODS

Eight preadolescents underwent physeal-sparing intraarticular reconstruction for anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency with the use of semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafts. All eight patients were in Tanner stage 1 with an average chronologic age of 11.15 years and average bone age of 10.9 years. Preoperative prediction of lower limb growth averaged 10.8 cm.

RESULTS

Five of the eight patients had reached skeletal maturity at follow-up, which was at an average of 69.2 months postoperatively. For these five, the Orthopadische Arbeitsgruppe Knie (OAK) score averaged 97 and the average KT-2000 arthrometer difference was 1.8 mm. Average growth in total height from surgery to final follow-up was 21.7 cm. No patient had a leg-length discrepancy or angular deformity, as verified by clinical or teleroentgenogram measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique presented in this study provided graft isometry and stability without adverse physeal consequences. Additional research is needed to determine the threshold percentage of physeal transgression for avoiding growth disturbances in humans.

Preoperative evaluation and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction technique for skeletally immature patients in Tanner stages 2 and 3

BACKGROUND

Transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients carries the risk of adverse sequelae.

PURPOSE

1) To provide clinical and radiographic methods to identify skeletally immature patients with significant remaining lower limb growth. 2) To provide a method for calculating the percent area lesion created by a 6-mm distal femoral physeal tunnel. 3) To present a method of partial transphyseal intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bipolar graft fixation in these patients. 4) To report on clinical, functional, and radiographic results at skeletal maturity.

METHODS

Fourteen adolescents with symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament instability who were identified as being in Tanner stages 2 and 3 underwent partial transphyseal intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the use of hamstring tendon grafts (transphyseal only in the femur and through the epiphysis in the tibia).

RESULTS

At skeletal maturity, 10 patients were asymptomatic and fully active in sports. No patient had significant leg-length inequality or angular deformity after use of a 6-mm femoral physeal tunnel, which represented 1) less than 7% of the frontal plane and 2) less than 1% of the transverse plane cross-sectional femoral physeal areas.

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of the exposed technique and the method used to select patients permitted us to avoid adverse sequelae.

Anterior cruciate ligament injury in paediatric and adolescent patients: a review of basic science and clinical research

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are recognised with greater frequency in children and adolescents. Non-operative treatment of ACL injuries in children may lead to knee instability and secondary injuries, especially in those who return to sports. ACL reconstruction is controversial in skeletally immature patients because of potential damage to the proximal tibial and distal femoral physes, which may lead to premature arrest and/or leg length discrepancies. This paper reviews studies of ACL injuries in children and adolescents, and examines basic science and clinical studies concerning physeal arrest secondary to ACL reconstruction tunnels. Some animal studies support the conclusion that ACL reconstructions in children have the potential to cause growth disturbances, and there are reports of growth plate complications due to ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients. There is evidence that ACL reconstruction can be performed in select skeletally immature patients, but the risk of growth plate complications must be considered.

Functional anterior cruciate ligament bracing: a survey of current brace prescription patterns

This study surveyed orthopedic surgeons regarding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) bracing practices. Surveys were mailed to 1194 members of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. The return rate was 24% (n = 287). Descriptive analysis revealed that 13% of physicians never brace ACL-reconstructed patients, whereas only 3% never brace ACL-deficient patients. Physicians prescribe off-the-shelf braces more frequently for ACL-deficient patients than ACL-reconstructed patients (P = .000). Half reported bracing less frequently than 5 years ago. The wide range of responses reflects the lack of scientific basis for bracing decisions. Continued research efforts are encouraged. In the interim, the physician's clinical judgment provides the basis for bracing decisions.

Anterior cruciate ligament injury in children: update of current treatment options

As our society's interest in competitive athletics has grown, so has the participation of our youth. Unfortunately, along with this increase in participation has come a predictable increase in rate of injury. More specifically, anterior cruciate ligament injury in the skeletally immature individual is being recognized with increasing frequency and currently poses an unsolved clinical problem. Conservative management of midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament tears in the skeletally immature population has been shown to have an unfavorable prognosis related to functional knee instability, subsequent meniscal tears, and the development of early degenerative arthritis. Despite poor outcomes following conservative treatment, many orthopaedic surgeons have been reluctant to perform anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions in skeletally immature patients due to the potential for physeal injury and resultant growth disturbance. Although there is growing evidence in the literature suggesting that anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the adolescent population may be safely performed using anatomic, transphyseal techniques, there are insufficient data to provide concrete guidelines in treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the prepubescent population. Management of these injuries, therefore, must be based on the physiologic and skeletal maturity of the child. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the skeletally immature individual still poses a clinical problem with the safest and most effective techniques still evolving.

Special considerations. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the skeletally immature

ACL injury in children is being recognized with greater frequency because of improved diagnostic techniques as well as heightened awareness of the condition. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is still missed because the attitude persists that children do not suffer ligament injuries. Hemarthrosis must be considered an indication of a significant intra-articular injury. During the past decade, ACL reconstruction has evolved to a reproducible technique with low morbidity. Aggressive rehabilitation programs allow accelerated return to activity while allowing the biology of graft maturation to progress. The basic principle of diagnosis and the treatment goals in the skeletally immature patient are the same as those in the adult patient. The diagnosis approach to ACL injury in the scholastic-age patient, however, must also include evaluation of the patient's skeletal maturity because it plays a major role in treatment decisions. Maturity is evaluated on the basis of the patient's chronologic age; various physiologic factors, such as family height, patient's projected height, and estimation of sexual development; and radiographic findings in the knee, pelvis (Risser sign), or hand and wrist (bone-age study). Because of the special characteristics of the skeletally immature patient, the orthopedic surgeon must act as "knee counselor" by attempting to identify at-risk patients, particularly those who abuse their knees for any of a variety of reasons. The nonoperative treatment principles are the same as those in an adult. Consideration of surgical treatment must take into account assessment of skeletal maturity. If questions remain about the status of the femoral and tibial physes, polytomography or MRI is used to assess the extent of physeal closure. The surgical reconstruction used reflects the patient's skeletal maturity. As the skeletal maturity threshold is reached, transphyseal reconstructions may be done with diminished reservation about causing sequelae of physeal arrest.

Effect of hamstrings muscle action on stability of the ACL-deficient knee in isokinetic extension exercise

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the effect of hamstrings muscle action on stability of the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee during isokinetic exercise at various speeds.

DESIGN

Mathematical modeling and forward-dynamics computer simulation were used to study the interactions between knee-extension speed, hamstrings co-contraction activity, and anterior tibial translation in the intact and anterior cruciate deficient knee.

BACKGROUND

There is much experimental evidence available to believe that hamstrings co-contraction can reduce anterior tibial translation in the anterior cruciate deficient knee. Little is known, however, about the level of hamstrings activation needed to keep anterior tibial translation within normal limits during functional activity.

METHODS

Isokinetic knee-extension was simulated with a sagittal-plane model used previously to study load sharing between the muscles, ligaments, and bones during isometric knee-extension exercise, isokinetic exercise, and squatting exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Some amount of hamstrings activation is needed to stabilize an anterior cruciate deficient knee irrespective of how fast the knee extends. The level of hamstrings co-contraction needed to stabilize an anterior cruciate deficient knee is inversely related to extension speed. Hamstrings co-contraction is more effective in reducing anterior tibial translation than low-resistance extension exercise.

RELEVANCE

Excessive anterior tibial translation during knee-extension exercise may lead to damage of the meniscus and other passive structures inside the knee. If anterior cruciate deficient patients can be trained to co-contract their hamstrings during isokinetic knee-extension, then this exercise is appropriate for maintaining strength of the thigh muscles without compromising the anterior stability of the knee.

Fate of the anterior cruciate ligament-injured knee

Most patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries do well with activities of daily living even after follow-up in the range of 5 to 15 years. Most can participate in some sports activity if they are inclined to do so, but most will have some limitations in vigorous sports, and only a few will be entirely asymptomatic. The challenge to the clinician is to understand and predict how ACL deficiency in a given patient will affect that patients's life and activities. In counseling patients about treatment after an ACL injury, the clinician can use knee ligament arthrometry measurements and pre-injury sports activity to estimate the risk of injury over the next 5 to 10 years. Meniscus, chondral, and sub-chondral injuries are not uncommon, but rarely require surgical intervention in the early phase of ACL deficiency. The prevalence of clinically significant meniscal damage increases with time, and is associated with increasing disability, surgery, and arthrosis in high-risk patients. Ligament reconstruction has not been shown to prevent arthrosis, but in prospective studies it appears to reduce the risk of subsequent meniscal injury, improve passive anteroposterior knee motion limits, and facilitate return to high-level sporting activities.

Intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon allograft in the skeletally immature patient

PURPOSE

Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are becoming more prevalent in the skeletally immature patient. We report our results with intra-articular transphyseal ACL reconstruction in this patient population.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective analysis.

METHODS

Ten skeletally immature athletes underwent transphyseal intra-articular ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon allograft. The patients ranged from 9 to 15 years of age. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scoring systems, follow-up radiographs, clinical examination, and KT-1000 testing.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 40 months. The average Lysholm score was 95, and 9 of 10 patients reported normal or nearly normal knee function. There was no clinical or objective evidence of instability, limb-length discrepancy, or early physeal arrest. Nine of 10 patients returned to their preinjury level of athletics.

CONCLUSIONS

Skeletally immature athletes with symptomatic complete ACL tears who do not want to modify their athletic activity may benefit from intra-articular ACL reconstruction using patellar tendon allografts. Special attention to bone plug and interference screw placement will reduce the risk of early physeal arrest.

Partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

The functional outcome after partial anterior cruciate ligament tears in children and adolescents treated without reconstruction has not been established.

HYPOTHESIS

Nonreconstructive management of partial anterior cruciate ligament tears can be effective in certain pediatric patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

We studied 45 skeletally mature and immature patients 17 years of age or less who had an acute hemarthrosis, magnetic resonance imaging signal changes, grade A or B Lachman and pivot shift result, and an arthroscopically documented partial anterior cruciate ligament tears. All patients were treated without reconstruction, underwent a structured rehabilitation program, and were followed up for a minimum of 2 years.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients (31%) underwent subsequent reconstruction. Significant associations with subsequent reconstruction included tears that were greater than 50%, predominantly posterolateral tears, a grade B pivot shift test result, and older chronologic and skeletal age. Among patients who did not require reconstruction, those with tears that were greater than 50% or predominantly posterolateral had significantly lower Lysholm, satisfaction, and Cincinnati Knee Scale scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonreconstructive management is recommended for partial anterior cruciate ligament tears in children and adolescents 14 years of skeletal age or younger with normal or near-normal Lachman and pivot shift results. Reconstruction is recommended in older athletes or in those with greater than 50% or predominantly posterolateral tears.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in adolescents with open physes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions performed in adolescents with open physes and a skeletal age of at least 14 years. At one center, from 1992 to 1996, 19 adolescents (ages, 11 to 15 years) with open physes and a skeletal age of at least 14 years underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using an Achilles tendon allograft placed through drill holes across the open physes in both the distal femur and proximal tibia. Fifteen patients returned for reevaluation at an average of 25 months postoperatively (range, 12 to 60 months); the remaining four patients were interviewed by telephone. There were no significant leg-length discrepancies or angular deformities as determined by scanograms and anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the femur and tibia. The mean Lysholm knee score was 97 (range, 94 to 100) and the mean KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference at 20 pounds of anterior force was 1.7 mm (range, 0.0 to 3.0). All patients were satisfied with the results of surgery, and 16 of 19 patients returned to the same sport they were participating in before the injury. This study demonstrates that anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using an Achilles tendon allograft is a viable treatment option for skeletally immature patients with a skeletal age of 14 years who have sustained midsubstance tears of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Anterior cruciate injuries in the skeletally immature athlete: a review of treatment outcomes

The documentation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the skeletally immature athlete has significantly increased over the past decade, primarily due to increased awareness of these injuries within this younger athletic population. The evaluation of these injuries are similar to that in the adult population. Diagnostic studies such as plain radiographs, as well as magnetic resonance imaging, can delineate the location of the ACL failure. Physical presentation most commonly includes an acute haemarthrosis and ligamentous insufficiency. Several studies have demonstrated that the diagnostic reliability of the physical examination is poor in children, especially in patients less than 12 years old. The site of ACL failure in this adolescent population is most commonly at the tibial insertion. We recommend arthroscopic or arthroscopically assisted open reduction and internal fixation with nonabsorbable sutures for all displaced tibial eminence fractures. Mid-substance ACL failures also occur in this athletic age group. The association of meniscal injuries with these ACL failures appears to be greater than 50%. Historically, poor subjective and objective outcomes have been associated with primary and extra-articular repairs. Intra-articular reconstruction is the gold standard. The issue of placing the graft across open physeal plates is under investigation. Recent animal studies as well as human clinical series have demonstrated safety in placing soft tissue, i.e. hamstring grafts, across open growth plates without subsequent angular or leg length discrepancy. Historically, non-operatively treated ACL failures are associated with poor functional outcomes as well as a high incidence of meniscal re-injury. If the treatment of an adolescent athlete with an ACL failure is to be rehabilitation until skeletal maturity, close follow-up is essential to detect functional instability, which may prompt earlier surgical reconstruction.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the young patient without violation of the epiphyseal plate

A technique of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction that does not disturb the epiphyseal plate in the young patient with open physis is presented. A cryopreserved bone-Achilles tendon allograft was incorporated by an interference screw fixation to the bone plug in the tibia and an over-the-top positioning of the tendon on the femoral side. For this procedure, the minimal patient age that the thickness of the epiphysis can accept an interference screw greater than 15 mm in length is 8 years. An intra-articular reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament with the cryopreserved Achilles allograft using our technique is safe and recommendable for young patients with open physis.

Musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports medicine. 4. Miscellaneous sports medicine topics

This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in this topic area. It is part of the chapter on musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article discusses physiatric duties as a team physician, preparticipation physical examinations, ergogenic aids, heat-related illness, pediatric sports injuries, female sports injuries, and sports medicine topics pertinent to geriatric and physically or mentally challenged athletes. New advances covered in this section include use of creatine, guidelines for the preparticipation examination, sudden cardiac athletic death, pediatric and female anterior cruciate ligament injuries, the female athlete triad, spine screening in Down syndrome athletes, and "boosting" in athletes with spinal cord injury.

Management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in skeletally immature adolescents

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in skeletally immature adolescents are being diagnosed and reported with increasing frequency. Nonoperative management of mid-substance ACL injuries in adolescent athletes frequently results in a high incidence of giving-way episodes, recurrent meniscal tears, and early onset of osteoarthritis. An intraarticular ACL reconstruction (using the central 10-mm patellar tendon graft) in young athletes approaching skeletal maturity provides predictable excellent knee stability, and the athletes are able to return to competitive sports with a decreased risk of recurrent meniscal and/or chondral injury. Guidelines for the management of ACL injuries in skeletally immature adolescents are presented.