Good physical function but reduced quality of life in children 3 years after ACL reconstruction

Purpose To assess children's physical function and subjective knee status 1 and 3 years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It was hypothesised that there was no difference between the operated and normal legs in relation to physical strength and function, that there was 2 mm in four children at 1‐ and 3‐year tests. Pedi‐IKDC scores increased, and KOOS‐Child improved significantly from 1 to 3 years in two of the five domains: ‘Sport’ and ‘Quality of life’, but scores were lower than in a cohort of normal children. Conclusion The children had good objective physical function 1 and 3 years after ACL reconstruction. However, scores from the KOOS‐Child sport‐specific function and quality of life domains were lower than in normal children. Level of evidence Level II.