ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES IN YOUNG ATHLETES - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION

Complete midsubstance tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in skeletally-immature adolescents are being diagnosed and reported with increasing frequency. Conservative treatment of such ACL tears in jun ior high schools, subsequent meniscal tears, and very early osteoarthr itis. Results of primary repair of the torn ACL and extra-articular re constructive procedures have been disappointing. Intra-articular ACL r econstruction in young athletes approaching skeletal maturity using th e autogenous patellar tendon graft gives excellent knee stability, and decreases the risk of meniscal tears. Athletes are able to return to competitive sports at their preinjury level. Here, the existing litera ture on the subject of midsubstance ACL tears in young athletes is rev iewed, and guidelines for the management of ACL-deficient knee in this population are provided.