Nonosseous lesions of the anterior cruciate ligaments in childhood and adolescence.

Damage of the knee joint has increased during the last few years owing to overindulgence in sports. The anterior cruciate ligaments play a major role in knee joint stability. Treatment of injured knee joint structures in childhood and adolescence is more complicated than in adults. From 1972 to 1987 we have seen 330 patients with knee injuries, 28 of whom had nonosseous lesions of the anterior curciate ligaments. Of these, 20 were followed-up; 17 children were operated on primarily, 3 were conservatively immobilized. On follow-up, 15 patients showed signs of residual instability. Primary treatment depends on the presence and the extent of associated injuries of the knee joint.