Treatment Strategy for Double Ligament Injury in Adolescent Athletes

More and more complex injuries in adolescents are occurring. This is as a result of increased participation in sports. In this study, 12 cases of torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears are reported. Results of treatment are compared with a control group of 19 children with an isolated ACL tear.

The group with combined ACL-MCL tears was treated with bracing for the MCL tear. The brace was worn for an average of 33 days. Some patients wore it for up to two months. Then the ACL was repaired arthroscopically. In the control group, just an arthroscopic repair of the ACL was done.

Results showed no difference between the two groups. Everyone was able to return to their preinjury level of sports activity. Pain free motion was restored. A few patients had a second surgery either to remove irritating hardware or to loosen scar tissue in the joint.

The authors suggest that bracing MCL tears with delayed ACL repair works well for sports injuries. They advise a mmore aggressive form of treatment for similar injuries from falls or car accidents.