Data sources: Using the Pubmed proceeded to search articles using the following queries: "Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children"; "Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children"; "Meniscus tears in children." Were included articles written in portuguese or english between 2001 and 2011, which emphasized the problem of skeletal immaturity as the main cause of specific procedures, and related to the anterior cruciate and posterior ligaments, meniscus and medial collateral ligament.

Were included 39 articles.

 

Data synthesis: The research results indicate that, in children, meniscal injuries should be repaired surgically, while attempting to preserver as much meniscus as possible. For the peripheral isolated ligament injuries should, whenever possible, be treated conservatively. For central lesions the treatment should be surgically regardless of skeletally immature.

 

Conclusions: The magnetic resonance imaging shows age-dependent results, so it should be accompanied by a careful physical examination. Meniscal tears should, whenever possible, be repaired surgically. Unlike peripheral ligament injuries, central lesions should be treated surgically regardless of skeletally immature. Different techniques have been developed in order to reduce the risk of associated injuries with the drilling of physes. The technique which has better results is a transphyseal technique with specificities in the tunnel size, as well as its direction and the type of graft used. When there is avulsion of the tibial spine, if the treatment is surgical there are better results described with sutures than with screws.

 

 

Key-words: Skeletally immature; Physis; Children; Magnetic resonance imaging; Meniscus; Anterior cruciate ligament; Posterior cruciate ligament; Knee; Tibial avulsion; Transphyseal Drilling.