As more kids participate in organized sports and recreational activities at younger ages, orthopedic specialists are seeing a rise in one particular type of injury: ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears. Once thought to affect only adult athletes, ACL injuries are now occurring more frequently in children and teens, requiring specialized care to ensure proper recovery and protect growing joints.
The ACL is one of the main ligaments that helps stabilize the knee. It can tear during sudden stops, changes in direction, awkward landings, or collisions — movements common in sports like soccer, football, basketball, gymnastics, and dance. At Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, our pediatric orthopedic team has seen an increase in ACL injuries in patients as young as 8 years old.
ACL injuries in children present unique challenges due to their growing bodies. If not treated properly, these injuries can lead to long-term complications. It is crucial for children to be treated by pediatric orthopedic specialists, who have additional years of training to manage ACL tears in young patients effectively.
Common Causes of Pediatric ACL Tears Include:
- Sudden changes in direction while running
- Improper landing techniques after jumping
- Collisions or direct impact during contact sports
- Twisting injuries from activities like skiing or gymnastics
- Overuse and lack of adequate conditioning
Signs Your Child May Have an ACL Tear Include:
- A “pop” sound at the time of injury
- Swelling or stiffness in the knee within hours
- Inability to bear weight or instability when walking
- Pain when trying to straighten or bend the knee
- Persistent discomfort during physical activity
If your child experiences symptoms of a knee injury, they should be evaluated by a pediatric orthopedic specialist. Early diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan can help prevent long-term damage and support a successful return to sports and daily activity.
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital offers specialized pediatric care in Orange County for children and teens with orthopedic injuries. Our MemorialCare Medical Group - Irvine Barranca (Pediatrics) and Fountain Valley Outpatient Specialty Center provides convenient access to expert evaluations, imaging, and rehabilitation with orthopedic specialists. For complex cases, patients can receive advanced care at our Orthopedic Center in Long Beach. There, pediatric orthopedic surgeons offer minimally invasive procedures, including surgical reconstruction, tailored to the needs of growing bodies.
Whether treatment involves physical therapy, bracing, or surgical reconstruction, our team works closely with families to guide them through every step of recovery. We also emphasize prevention through training programs that teach proper movement patterns and conditioning to reduce the risk of future injury.
Tips for Preventing ACL Injuries in Kids:
- Teach safe jumping and landing techniques
- Encourage warm-up and stretching routines before physical activity
- Avoid year-round participation in a single sport
- Promote strength and agility training appropriate for age
- Supervise sports and recreation to ensure safe play
With expert care and the right precautions, children can continue enjoying the activities they love — with fewer setbacks and stronger, healthier joints.
About Dr. Kenneth Huh:
Kenneth Huh, M.D., is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at the Orthopedic Center at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital with a focus in sports medicine and trauma.
He received his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Huh completed his general orthopedic surgery internship and residency at the University of Southern California.
He later traveled to Auckland, New Zealand to complete his fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Starship Children’s Hospital. During his time at Starship Childrens Hospital, he presented on numerous orthopedic matters, including Congenital Scoliosis, Cerebral Palsy and Calcaneal Gait.
Dr. Huh also completed a second fellowship in sports medicine with the Sports Orthopedics and Rehab (SOAR) Medical Group. He was a co-author for various publications for the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics. During this sports fellowship Dr. Huh trained under the San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers team physician and covered University of Santa Clara and University of San Francisco as a sports medicine physician.
His clinical interest is in pediatric sports medicine and he is currently the head physician for a local high school sports team.
