Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the skeletally immature patient.

Injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in children are more frequent than once thought. Special factors must be taken into consideration when treating ACL injuries in the skeletally immature patient. Risks of surgery must be weighed against potential damage to the knee caused by repeated injury. The authors prefer the use of both tibial and femoral centrally placed drill holes, hamstring tendon autografts, fixation distant from the physis, and avoidance of dissection near the physis. This technique will minimize damage to the physis and should not hinder normal growth.