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

People often say their knees are arthritic because of activity. It is a typical story to hear that a patient associates their arthritis with the fact that they have been physically active.

The truth is that knees are almost always helped by physical activity. In fact, patients who have participated in vigorous physical activity have better, healthier cartilage than patients who are not physically active. Furthermore, patients who are physically active have less of a chance of being obese, have stronger muscles, and are less likely to experience knee pain.

What does this mean for you? If you have good knees, then vigorous physical activity will help to maintain your knee health--not hurt your knees.

Related: Knee Arthritis | Ready for knee replacement?

Sources: Racunica TL, et al. "Effect of physical activity on articular knee joint structures in community-based adults" Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Oct 15;57(7):1261-8.

The safety of cadaver donated tissues for use in surgical procedures is of great concern for many patients. Tissues used for ACL surgery, cartilage transplants, and other orthopedic procedures may come from donors. The safety of these grafts concerns many patients who undergo these types of surgery.

Most people understand that the chance of disease transmission as a result of a graft being implanted is incredibly small. But what does that mean? Should you be worried? Learn about what the chances of disease transmission are, and what you and your doctor can do to minimize the chance of a problem. Would you be willing to have donated tissues surgically implanted in your body? Leave your comments below...

Related: ACL Grafts | Meniscus Transplants