Functional Bracing and Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the Pediiatric and Adolescent Patient

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the pediatric and adolescent population are no longer the rare injury that they once were. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has become increasing more common in skeletally immature patients because of increased rates of participation in organized sports as well as increased ability to diagnose these injuries. Although younger patients may pursue surgery with the short-term goal of returning to sports quickly, physicians and parents primarily wish to help them stay active, healthy, and safe in terms of minimizing or the risk of further injury.