Abstract
In October 2017, the International Olympic Committee hosted an international expert group of physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons who specialise in treating and researching paediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Representatives from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society, European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy, International Society of Arthroscopy Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, and Sociedad Latinoamericana de Artroscopia, Rodilla y Deporte attended. Physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons with clinical and research experience in the field, and an ethics expert with substantial experience in the area of sports injuries also participated. Injury management is challenging in the current landscape of clinical uncertainty and limited scientific knowledge. Injury management decisions also occur against the backdrop of the complexity of shared decision-making with children and the potential long-term ramifications of the injury. This consensus statement addresses six fundamental clinical questions regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and management of paediatric ACL injuries. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide a comprehensive, evidence-informed summary to support the clinician, and help children with ACL injury and their parents/guardians make the best possible decisions.
Highlights
The number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children is rising [112, 133]
Extended author information available on the last page of the article continue with sport? Do they prioritise their education and other interests over sport? Does an ACL injury and treatment change their lives? These young individuals have to live with their knee problem for the rest of their life, which may compromise their quality of life and increase the risk for further injury, meniscal tears, and early onset osteoarthritis [134]
Consistent implementation and utilisation, and adherence across all levels of competitive play, is one of the biggest challenges facing the clinician. Those involved in youth sports, and clinicians who treat paediatric athletes with ACL injury have a responsibility to actively advocate for injury prevention in both a primary setting and for children who return to sport after an injury
Summary
The number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children is rising [112, 133]. Compounding the problem is that there is very little high-quality evidence to guide decision-making in management of paediatric ACL injuries [90] Progress on these issues can only be made based on longterm follow-up in multicentre collaborations. Injury management decisions occur against the backdrop of the complexity of shared decision-making with children and the potential long-term ramifications of the injury. This consensus statement addresses six fundamental clinical questions regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and management of paediatric ACL injuries (Summary Box 1). By framing each topic around clinical questions, the aim of this consensus statement is to provide a comprehensive, evidence-informed summary to support the clinician, and help children with ACL injury and their parents/guardians make the best possible decisions
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