If your child suddenly grabs their knee during a soccer game or basketball practice, your heart might skip a beat. Knee injuries are scary, especially when they happen to our little ones. One of the most common serious knee injuries in young athletes is an ACL injury in children.

The ACL, or Anterior Cruciate Ligament, is a strong band of tissue that keeps the knee stable. When it tears, it can sideline your child from sports and cause real pain. The good news? With the right care and treatment, most kids recover well and get back to doing what they love.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about pediatric ACL tears—from spotting the signs to understanding treatment options and helping your child heal.

What Is an ACL Injury?

The ACL is one of four main ligaments in the knee. It connects the thigh bone to the shin bone and stops the shin from sliding too far forward. It also helps keep your knee stable when you twist or turn.

ACL injuries in children are becoming more common than they used to be. More kids are playing competitive sports year-round, which means more chances for injury. Sports like soccer, basketball, football, and gymnastics carry the highest risk.

Children’s knees are different from adult knees because they’re still growing. They have growth plates—areas of developing bone tissue near the ends of long bones. This means doctors must be extra careful when treating pediatric ACL injuries to protect normal growth.

How Do ACL Injuries Happen in Kids?

ACL tears in children usually happen during sports or active play. Common causes include:

• Suddenly stopping or changing direction while running
• Landing awkwardly from a jump
• Getting hit directly on the knee
• Pivoting with the foot planted firmly on the ground

Girls are at higher risk than boys for ACL injuries. This might be due to differences in muscle strength, knee alignment, and how they land from jumps.

Kids who specialize in just one sport at a young age or who play on multiple teams may also face higher injury risks due to overuse and fatigue.

Recognizing ACL Injury Symptoms in Your Child

How do you know if your child has an ACL tear? Watch for these warning signs:

Right after the injury:

• A popping sound or sensation in the knee
• Sudden, severe pain
• Rapid swelling (usually within 2-12 hours)
• Trouble putting weight on the leg
• Feeling like the knee is unstable or “giving out”

In the days following:

• Ongoing knee pain
• Difficulty walking, especially on stairs
• Limited knee movement
• Continued swelling
• Not wanting to run or play

If your child shows these symptoms after a knee injury, schedule an appointment with a doctor soon. Early diagnosis helps protect the knee from further damage.

How Doctors Diagnose ACL Injuries

When you visit the doctor, they’ll examine your child’s knee, checking for swelling, tenderness, and stability. They may perform special tests by gently moving the knee in different directions.

An MRI scan is usually needed to confirm an ACL tear in children. This imaging test shows a clear picture of the ligament and reveals if there’s any other damage to the knee. X-rays might also be taken to check for broken bones and to see how much your child’s bones have grown.

Treatment Options for Pediatric ACL Injuries

Treatment depends on several factors: your child’s age, how active they are, and how severe the injury is.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Some children, especially younger ones or those with partial tears, may not need surgery right away. Non-surgical treatment includes:

• Rest and activity modification
• Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee
• Wearing a knee brace for support
• Avoiding sports that involve cutting, pivoting, or jumping

The challenge is that a torn ACL doesn’t heal on its own. Without surgery, the knee may remain unstable, which can lead to more damage over time.

Surgical Treatment

For active kids who want to return to sports, ACL surgery is often recommended. The concern with younger children is protecting their growth plates during surgery.

Today, surgeons use special techniques designed for growing kids. These methods reconstruct the ACL while avoiding or minimizing impact on growth plates. The surgery typically uses a graft (tissue taken from another part of the body or from a donor) to rebuild the torn ligament.

Surgery for ACL injuries in children is usually done as an outpatient procedure, meaning your child can go home the same day.

Recovery Timeline: What to Expect

ACL recovery in children takes time and patience. Here’s a general timeline:

• Weeks 1-6: Focus on reducing swelling and pain. Your child will work on gentle knee movements and may use crutches. Weight-bearing increases gradually.
• Months 2-4: Physical therapy intensifies. Your child will do exercises to strengthen the leg muscles, improve balance, and increase flexibility.
• Months 4-9: Sport-specific training begins. Running, jumping, and agility drills are introduced carefully under supervision.
• Months 9-12: Most children can return to competitive sports around 9-12 months after surgery, once they pass specific strength and function tests.

Every child heals at their own pace. Rushing back too soon increases the risk of re-injuring the knee.

The Role of Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the backbone of ACL recovery. A good PT program helps your child regain strength, flexibility, and confidence. The therapist will guide your child through exercises that gradually rebuild the knee’s function.

As a parent, your encouragement matters. Recovery is long, and kids can get frustrated. Celebrate small victories and remind them that taking time to heal properly means they can play safely for years to come.

Can You Prevent ACL Injuries?

While you can’t prevent every injury, you can reduce the risk:

• Enroll your child in training programs that teach proper jumping and landing techniques
• Make sure they do strength exercises for the legs, hips, and core
• Encourage rest days and playing multiple sports instead of specializing too early
• Ensure coaches prioritize safety and proper form

Finding the Right Care for Your Child

If your child has injured their knee or has been diagnosed with an ACL injury, getting the right medical care is important. You want a doctor who understands the unique needs of growing children and can guide you through treatment options.

Dr. Atul Bhaskar is a trusted pediatric orthopedic surgeon in Mumbai who specializes in treating ACL injuries in children. With years of experience in sports-related knee injuries and growth plate-friendly surgical techniques, Dr. Bhaskar helps young patients recover safely and return to their favorite activities.

Don’t wait if your child is experiencing knee pain or instability. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Atul Bhaskar to discuss the best treatment plan for your child.

📞 Contact Dr. Atul Bhaskar’s clinic today
📍 Serving families across Mumbai with specialized pediatric orthopedic care

Your child’s health and future in sports matter. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, most children with ACL injuries go on to lead active, healthy lives.