Knee Injuries in Children and Young People: Why Are They Becoming More Common?

From meniscus (cartilage) tears to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, Welbeck’s specialist consultant orthopaedic knee surgeons are seeing more and more children and young adults with knee injuries. 

The most significant cause of this rise is a greater uptake in high-intensity sports at a young age, which in recent years have become more professionalised, increasing in speed and intensity.

We’re taking a look at the impact this has, other contributing factors, and what can be done to reduce your child’s risk of knee injuries.

While all types of knee injuries are on the rise, at Welbeck, our specialists have seen a particular increase in the number of children requiring knee reconstruction due to ACL injuries. 

The ACL is an important structural ligament within the knee, which provides stability when pivoting, jumping, twisting and changing direction in sports. 

Those who take part in fast-paced sports which require sudden changes in direction, jumping and pivoting, like netball, football, rugby, tennis, and skiing, are more likely to suffer ACL injuries and, indeed, other knee injuries too. This is because the ACL is under considerable loads during sudden changes of direction and therefore vulnerable to injury.

This risk is further increased if the child focuses predominantly on just one sport – a lack of variety in movement and action means some muscles in the legs are worked incredibly hard, while others are weaker, reducing overall knee stability, therefore increasing its susceptibility to injury. 

Other factors that contribute to an increased risk of knee injury include:

• higher intensity training and competition

• lack of warm-up and cool-down exercises

• limited rest and recovery

• training increasingly taking place indoors or on synthetic turf 

• not wearing shoes specific to the sport

• increased laxity and mobility of joints in young atheletes

• hormonal changes and fluctuations, particularly in girls

• biomechanical and anatomical differences

“Knee injuries in young athletes can have devastating effects on the long-term health of the knee and the ability to play competitive sport in the future. We’re understanding more about the importance of injury prevention in young athletes and trying to encourage schools, sports clubs and athletes to ensure they follow an appropriate ACL injury prevention programme to reduce the risk of injury”, says Mr Deepu Sethi, one of Welbeck’s leading consultant orthopaedic surgeons. 

While not all injuries can be avoided, there are thankfully several things that can be done to reduce the risk of your child suffering a knee injury when taking part in sports and exercise. These include:

• doing structured warm-ups before training and playing sports, that incorporate balance, strength, agility, and jumping mechanics

• taking part in multiple types of sports, for a more well-rounded use of muscles to increase your child’s adaptability to different movement patterns

• building time into training schedules that’s dedicated to recovery and active rest, and avoiding overtraining

• focusing on age-appropriate strength and conditioning exercises to provide additional stability for the knee joint and better control during high-risk movements

• working with a physical therapist to master proper form and practice corrective exercises when needed

If your child needs treatment, or if you’re looking for personalised advice to help them prevent and avoid injury, make an appointment to see one of our orthopaedic specialists. As leaders in their field, our consultants can provide personalised treatment and guidance to help keep your child healthy, happy, and thriving in the sport they love.

Get in touch today to book an appointment with one of our consultant orthopaedic specialists at a time that suits you.