Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears in Young Athletes:
Kevin G. Shea, M.D.These injuries were considered very rare until the last 10 years, although recent research at Intermountain Orthopaedics has shown that even very young patients can sustain these injuries. Fortunately, these injuries are also less common in younger athletes, although they can start at about age 12 in females, and age 13-15 in males. This recent study also demonstrated that young female athletes have a much higher risk of ACL injury compared to male athletes.
These injuries frequently require surgery, as children and adolescents with these injuries have a high rate of poor knee function without surgical repair. In patients that are still growing, special surgical techniques may be required to prevent injury to the growth plate in these young athletes. If your child requires an ACL reconstruction, the most advanced techniques will be utilized to reconstruct the ligament, while minimizing the risk of growth plate problems.
In some cases, especially young patients, the ACL will pull off from the bone attachment, rather than tear in the middle of the ligament. Re-attaching the ligament to the bone can sometimes repair this type of injury. Recovery from this type of surgery is much easier, compared to a standard ACL reconstruction.
The physicians at Intermountain Orthopaedics specialize in knee injuries in young athletes. In addition to specializing in these types of injuries in young athletes, Mike Curtin, M.D, Kevin Shea, M.D., and Ron Pfeiffer, Ed.D/ATC are actively involved in research related to serious knee injuries in athletes. These research programs are being conducted through Intermountain Orthopaedics, and the Department of Kinesiology at Boise State University. Our current research studies focus upon several issues:
1. ACL INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMS IN FEMALE ATHLETES- KLIP (KNEE LIGAMENT INJURY PREVENTION) PROGRAM. These studies are currently being conducted at Boise State University and the High Schools in the Treasure Valley. The KLIP (Knee Ligament Injury Prevention) Program is an exercise program designed to reduce ACL injury in females. This study was initiated in 2001, and will continue through 2003.
2. EVALUATION OF JUMP LANDING MECHANICS IN FEMALE ATHLETES. These studies are looking at the biomechanical effects of leg strengthening programs, to see if these programs can reduce the incidence of ACL injury in pediatric, adolescent, and collegiate athletes. If you know of a young athlete that would like to be involved in this research, we are currently recruiting subjects.
3. ANATOMY OF THE ACL IN PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT ATHLETES. Young Athletes have open growth plates, which are subject to injury during ACL reconstruction. Our research focuses upon improving our understanding of the anatomy of the ACL in patients with open growth plates, and designing surgical procedures which can reduce the risk of growth plate injury in young athletes that are undergoing ACL reconstruction. This research has been presented at international orthopaedic meetings, and published in the medical literature.
4. TREATMENT OF ANTERIOR KNEE PAIN IN FEMALE ATHLETES. An MRI study of the Effects of McConnell Taping. Anterior knee pain is a common problem in female athletes. This study is evaluating the effectiveness of taping to improve this condition.
5. AGE OF ONSET OF ACL TEARS IN YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS. Using insurance data on knee injuries, these studies have evaluated the age of onset of ACL tears in young athletes.
If you have questions about these research programs, many of these research topics can be accessed over the internet. If you would like more information, you can review these topics at the following web sites.
THE TIBIAL ATTACHMENT OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: ANALYSIS OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
Kevin G. Shea, Peter J. Apel, Ronald P. Pfeiffer, Larry D. Showalter and Paul D. Traughber
ACL RECONSTRUCTION IN CHILDREN HAS DANGERS
Kevin G. Shea, MD, Peter Apel, Buzz Showalter, MD