The German health platform “aponet.de” has issued a warning that jumping on trampolines significantly increases the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears among young children, in addition to bone fractures and spinal injuries. The site notes that children’s motor and coordination skills are not yet fully developed, and their joints remain highly unstable.
The portal—official information source for German pharmacists—explained that the risk becomes even higher when multiple children jump together, as this often leads to collisions, improper landings, or being knocked off the trampoline.
According to aponet.de, many ACL injuries also occur during other sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, and skiing. Signs that may indicate a torn ACL include hearing a “popping” sound, accompanied by swelling or immediate joint instability.
A major concern, the report adds, is that young children cannot undergo surgical repair in the same manner as adults, because their growth plates are still open. Performing surgery too early could disrupt normal bone development.
Severe knee injuries at an early age often prevent children from participating in competitive sports later in life. They also significantly increase the risk of osteoarthritis, with the “functional age” of the knee becoming 10 to 20 years older than the child’s actual age.
To minimize these risks, the portal recommends several safety precautions for trampoline use, including ensuring that the child jumps alone, learns proper landing techniques, jumps barefoot, and uses only trampolines that are structurally sound and in good condition.
