Surgical techniques in the management of pediatric anterior cruciate ligament tears: Current concepts

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament injury in the child and adolescent patient remains a controversial topic when considering management, especially regarding surgical choices. Treatment variations are seen not just when comparing different countries but also within nations. This arises partly as contemporary treatment is mostly inferred from the adult population who physiologically and in terms of outcomes differ significantly from children. There is an increasing body of evidence for this cohort of patients who have specific challenges and difficulties when determining the optimum treatment. METHODS: Within this article, we will summarize the current evidence for surgical management of anterior cruciate ligament injury for the pediatric patient. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There remain many controversies and gaps inthe treatment of Paediatric Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and this high risk cohort continues to cause difficulty in identifying the best mode of surgical management. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: level IV.