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Developmental Anatomy of the ACL and Knee

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Book cover The Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament

Abstract

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) originates from the mesenchyme and becomes a distinct cruciate ligament from the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) by week 10. The ACL is associated with two distinct bundles, anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL), that originate on the lateral femoral condyle and insert on the intercondylar spine of the tibia. As the primary stabilizer of the knee, the ACL is responsible for resisting anterior translation and rotation of the tibia on the femur. Both the physis (growth plate) and tibial tuberosity lie in close proximity to the ACL. Pediatric ACL reconstruction can be challenging due to the risk of causing damage to the physis, articular cartilage, lateral collateral ligament (LCL), popliteus tendon, and meniscus. Future prospective studies are needed to determine optimal techniques for management of ACL injuries in those with open growth plates.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Luke’s Sports Medicine, Boise, ID, USA

    Connor G. Richmond B.S., Peter C. Cannamela B.S. & Kevin G. Shea M.D.

  2. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Theodore J. Ganley M.D.

  3. Children’s Health Andrews Institute, Plano, TX, USA

    John D. Polousky M.D.

  4. Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance/The Lipscomb Clinic, Nashville, TN, USA

    Allen F. Anderson M.D.

Authors
  1. Connor G. Richmond B.S.
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  2. Peter C. Cannamela B.S.
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  3. Theodore J. Ganley M.D.
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  4. John D. Polousky M.D.
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  5. Allen F. Anderson M.D.
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  6. Kevin G. Shea M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin G. Shea M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Shital N. Parikh

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Richmond, C.G., Cannamela, P.C., Ganley, T.J., Polousky, J.D., Anderson, A.F., Shea, K.G. (2018). Developmental Anatomy of the ACL and Knee. In: Parikh, S. (eds) The Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64771-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64771-5_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-64770-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-64771-5

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