ACL reconstruction surgery is the standard treatment for young, active people who sustain an ACL tear. But what happens when that person is a child? Should ACL surgery be delayed until the child is older, or should ACL reconstruction be performed before skeletal maturity?

The concern of performing ACL surgery in children is that there is a risk of causing a growth disturbance in growing children. Growth plate problems as a result of ACL surgery could potentially lead to early growth plate closure or alignment deformities. However, recent research is showing that the risk of growth plate problems is much less then the risk of permanent knee damage if the ACL is not fixed.

Knees that are unstable as a result of ACL tears have a high chance of meniscus tears and cartilage injury. The risk of these events was found in a recent study to be higher than the risk of growth disturbances. Therefore, more surgeons are recommending early ACL surgery, even in children.

Related: All About ACL Tears | ACL Surgery Rehab

Sources: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) Annual Meeting, July 2009.

One of the most useful ways to alleviate arthritis pain is with exercise, which can help you lose weight and strengthen the muscles to better support your arthritic joints. Both weight loss and muscle strengthening can help to reduce painful symptoms.

Unfortunately, the thought of exercise for many people with severe arthritis is too difficult. Here are some ways to exercise, even if you have painful arthritis. Not all types of exercise will work for all people, but you should be able to find some fitness activity that will work for you.

Related: Prevent Arthritis Progression | Knee Arthritis | Hip Arthritis Photo © Lisa Kyle Young

All newborns are examined by their doctor to check their hip motion. The reason for this examination is to check for a condition called developmental dysplasia of the hip, or DDH. Patients with hip dysplasia have a loose hip joint that can allow the ball of the ball-and-socket joint to fall out of its socket. If the hip joint is not positioned properly, it cannot develop properly. Untreated DDH can lead to gait abnormalities and early arthritis of the hip joint.

A recent study has underscored the importance of this examination for babies, followed by further testing if abnormalities are noticed. Detecting hip problems in babies can help prevent the early onset of hip arthritis.

Related: Hip Dysplasia in Children | Hip Arthririts | Hip Click on Baby Examination

Photo © Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, has become a commonly utilized diagnostic tool in medicine and orthopedics. Many orthopedic conditions can be diagnosed with MRI. But sometimes your doctor doesn't order an MRI. Do you need an MRI?

Related: What is a MRI? | Understanding a Knee MRI Report

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