Patient question
My teenager tore their ACL. Is repair an option instead of reconstruction?
Dr. Pablo GelberOrthopaedic Knee Surgeon
Quick answer
Repair can be considered for some young patients with a fresh tear near the thigh bone, and it avoids taking a tendon. However, teenagers have a high re-injury risk, so many still do better with reconstruction, says Dr. Pablo Gelber, who sees young athletes at Aman Hospital in Doha.
Why young knees are a special case
Children and many teenagers still have open growth plates near the knee. Surgery has to respect these so that growth continues normally, which affects where tunnels can be drilled and what fixation is used.
Repair is attractive in this setting because it uses small tunnels or anchors and no graft. That said, growth-friendly reconstruction techniques also exist and are well established.
The re-injury question
Young athletes return to sport with energy and confidence, and their re-tear rates after any ACL surgery are higher than in adults. In several studies, repairs in this age group re-tore more often than reconstructions.
This does not rule repair out, but it means the family should understand the trade-off clearly. Commitment to a full rehabilitation programme matters as much as the operation itself.
What parents can do now
- Keep your child off the pitch until the knee has been assessed
- Arrange an MRI and a specialist review early if repair is to be considered
- Note how the injury happened and whether the knee locks or gives way
- Seek urgent care if the knee is locked, hugely swollen or the child cannot bear any weight
The consultation at Aman Hospital
Dr. Gelber examines the knee, checks growth on X-rays or MRI and talks with both the young patient and the parents about sport, school and goals. The aim is a plan the family understands, including what happens if the knee is injured again.
Frequently asked questions
Can we just wait until my child stops growing?
Delaying surgery for a long time in an active child with an unstable knee can lead to meniscus and cartilage damage. Sometimes a short wait is reasonable, but it should be a planned decision with close follow-up.
Will my child need a brace for sport afterwards?
A brace may help confidence, but it does not replace strength and movement training. Injury-prevention warm-ups are the more important long-term habit.
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