Disparities in Evaluation, Treatment, and Outcomes of Pediatric Knee Injuries

Similar to other fields, there is growing evidence of disparities in pediatric sports medicine. For children and adolescents with knee injuries, disparities persist along the lines of sex, gender, race, ethnicity, insurance, socioeconomic status, and other determinants. These factors influence the evaluation, treatment, and outcomes for a variety of knee pathologies, including anterior cruciate ligament ruptures, meniscus tears, osteochondritis dissecans, cartilage injuries, and tibial spine fractures. Inequities in care may have long-term functional and psychosocial implications. Additional research is necessary to further elucidate the etiology of these disparities, raise patient and community voices, and design interventions so that equitable care is delivered to every patient.