More Than a 2-Fold Risk of Contralateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Compared With Ipsilateral Graft Failure 10 Years After Primary Reconstruction

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 310-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Grassi ◽  
Luca Macchiarola ◽  
Gian Andrea Lucidi ◽  
Federico Stefanelli ◽  
Mariapia Neri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Graft Failure ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Contralateral Knee ◽  
Acl Revision ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Failure of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction or an injury to the ACL in the contralateral knee represents a devastating event for patients, especially those young and physically active. However, controversies are still present regarding long-term failure rates and risk factors. Purpose: To assess the long-term rate of ipsilateral graft failure and contralateral ACL injuries after ACL reconstruction performed at a single center using the same surgical technique with a hamstring autograft and to investigate the effect of sex, age, and preinjury activity level as predictors of second ACL injuries. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 244 consecutive patients (mean age, 30.7 years) who underwent ACL reconstruction with a single bundle plus lateral plasty technique using the hamstring tendon between November 2007 and May 2009. The number of subsequent ACL injuries (ipsilateral ACL revision or contralateral ACL reconstruction) was determined at a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Survivorship of either knee and subgroup analysis included sex, age, preoperative Tegner activity level, timing of ACL reconstruction, body mass index, and smoking status. Results: Ipsilateral ACL revision was performed in 8 (3.4%) patients and contralateral ACL reconstruction in 19 (7.8%) patients. Only 1 patient had both ipsilateral and contralateral injuries. No predictors were found for ipsilateral ACL revision, while age <18 years and preoperative Tegner level ≥7 had a higher risk of contralateral ACL reconstruction. The highest rate of a second ACL reconstruction procedure was in young (<18 years) and active (Tegner ≥7) patients, in whom the 10-year survival of either knee was 61.1%. Six years after primary ACL reconstruction, the rate of contralateral ACL reconstruction was significantly higher than that of ipsilateral ACL revision (hazard ratio, 2.4-3.6). Conclusion: In the long term, a second injury to either the ipsilateral or the contralateral knee in young and active populations could reach 40%, with a more than double-fold risk of contralateral ACL reconstruction compared with ipsilateral ACL revision.

The Role of Patient Characteristics in the Success of Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1657-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelle P. van der List ◽  
Frans J.A. Hagemans ◽  
Dirk Jan Hofstee ◽  
Freerk J. Jonkers
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears can either be treated nonoperatively with physical therapy and then treated operatively if persistent instability is present, or be directly treated operatively. Advantages of early ACL reconstruction surgery include shorter time from injury to surgery and potentially fewer meniscal injuries, but performing early ACL reconstruction in all patients results in surgery in patients who might not need ACL reconstruction. It is important to assess in which patients nonoperative treatment is successful and which patients will require ACL reconstruction and thus might be better treated surgically in an earlier phase. Purpose: To identify patient characteristics that predict the success of nonoperative treatment. Study Design: Cohort study (Prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: All patients with complete ACL injuries who were evaluated between 2014 and 2017 at our clinic were included. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. The initial treatment and ultimate ACL reconstruction were reviewed. Univariate analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square tests and multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 448 patients were included with a median age of 26 years and median Tegner level of 7 and mean Tegner level of 6.4. At initial consultation, 210 patients (47%) were treated nonoperatively with physical therapy and 126 of these patients (60%) ultimately required ACL reconstruction. Nonoperative treatment failed in 88.9% of patients <25 years of age, 56.0% of patients 25 to 40 years, and 32.9% of patients >40 years ( P < .001); and 41.9% of patients with Tegner level 3 to 6, and 82.8% of patients with Tegner level 7 to 10. Age <25 years (odds ratio [OR], 7.4; P < .001) and higher Tegner levels (OR, 4.2; P < .001) were predictive of failing nonoperative treatment in multivariate analysis. Patients in the failed nonoperative group had longer time from diagnosis to surgery than the direct reconstruction group (6.2 vs 2.2 months; P < .001), and more frequently had new meniscal injuries (17.4% vs 3.1%; P < .001) at surgery. Conclusion: Nonoperative treatment of ACL injuries failed in 60% of patients and was highly correlated with age and activity level. In patients aged 25 years or younger or participating in higher-impact sports, early ACL reconstruction should be considered to prevent longer delay between injury and surgery, as well as new meniscal injuries.

scholarly journals Incidence of Second Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears (1990-2000) and Associated Factors in a Specific Geographic Locale

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1567-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan D. Schilaty ◽  
Nathaniel A. Bates ◽  
Thomas L. Sanders ◽  
Aaron J. Krych ◽  
Michael J. Stuart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Contralateral Side ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Acl Tear ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears after reconstruction occur at a reported rate of 20% to 30%. This high frequency indicates that there may be factors that predispose an athlete to graft failure and ACL tears of the contralateral knee. Purpose: To determine the incidence of second ACL injuries in a geographic population-based cohort over a 10-year observation period. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) codes relevant to the diagnosis of an ACL tear and the procedure code for ACL reconstruction were searched across the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a multidisciplinary county database, between the years of 1990 and 2000. This cohort of patients was tracked for subsequent ACL injuries through December 31, 2015. The authors identified 1041 patients with acute, isolated ACL tears. These patients were stratified by primary and secondary tears, sex, age, activity level, side of injury, sex by side of injury, and graft type. Results: Of the 1041 unique patients with a diagnosed ACL tear in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1990 to 2000, there were 66 (6.0%) second ACL tears; 66.7% of these tears occurred on the contralateral side. A second ACL injury was influenced by graft type ( P < .0001), election of ACL reconstruction ( P = .0060), and sex by side of injury ( P = .0072). Nonparametric analysis of graft disruption by graft type demonstrated a higher prevalence of second ACL tears with allografts compared with hamstring ( P = .0499) or patellar tendon autografts ( P = .0012). Conclusion: The incidence of second ACL tears in this population-based cohort was 6.0%, with 66.7% of these tears occurring on the contralateral side from the original injury. There was a high population incidence of second ACL injuries in female patients younger than age 20 years. The utilization of patellar tendon autografts significantly reduced the risk of second ACL injuries compared with allografts or hamstring autografts in this cohort.

scholarly journals Anterolateral ligament of the knee: back to the future in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Edoardo Bonasia ◽  
Andrea D'Amelio ◽  
Pietro Pellegrino ◽  
Federica Rosso ◽  
Roberto Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Double Bundle ◽  
Anterolateral Ligament ◽  
Rotational Instability ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Double Bundle Acl Reconstruction

Although the importance of the anterolateral stabilizing structures of the knee in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries has been recognized since many years, most of orthopedic surgeons do not take into consideration the anterolateral structures when performing an ACL reconstruction. Anatomic single or double bundle ACL reconstruction will improve knee stability, but a small subset of patients may experience some residual anteroposterior and rotational instability. For this reason, some researchers have turned again towards the anterolateral aspect of the knee and specifically the anterolateral ligament. The goal of this review is to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the anterolateral ligament of the knee, including anatomy, histology, biomechanics and imaging. In addition, the most common anterolateral reconstruction/tenodesis techniques are described together with their respective clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals GRAFT CHOICE FOR ADOLESCENT ATHLETES RETURNING TO HIGH-RISK SPORTS: A MATCHED COHORT ANALYSIS OF PATELLAR TENDON AND HAMSTRING AUTOGRAFTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0007
Author(s):  
Crystal Perkins ◽  
Michael Busch ◽  
Melissa Christino ◽  
Belinda Schaafsma ◽  
S. Clifton Willimon
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Graft Failure ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Graft Rupture ◽  
Graft Choice ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Graft selection for skeletally mature adolescents undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is guided by surgeon and patient preference. In young patients returning to high-risk cutting and pivoting sports, graft rupture is the most feared complication of ACL reconstruction. Some studies have demonstrated slightly lower rates of graft failure and decreased laxity in the short term associated with patellar tendon (BTB) autografts as compared to hamstring (HS) autografts, but these studies are limited by their heterogeneity of ages and activity level1-3. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of graft failure between BTB and HS ACL reconstruction cohorts matched by age, sex, and sport. Methods: A single-institution retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients less than 19 years of age treated with ACL reconstructions using either patellar tendon (BTB) or hamstring (HS) autograft performed by a single surgeon. Skeletally mature or nearly mature patients in “high-risk” ACL injury sports (basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, and gymnastics) were initially treated with hamstring autografts but the graft preference transitioned to BTB autografts as the preferred graft choice during the study period. This transition in graft preference for adolescents participating in “high risk” sports allows for a comparison of outcomes based on graft types. Inclusion criteria were ages 13 – 18 years, participation in a “high risk” sport, and minimum 6-month follow-up. The two cohorts of patients were matched by age, gender, and sport. The primary outcome measure was graft rupture. Results: One hundred fifty-two patients with an average age of 16 years (range 13 – 18 years) underwent ACL reconstruction during the study period. There were 71 BTB reconstructions and 81 HS reconstructions. There were 64 females and 88 males. There was no difference in age, sex, BMI, or laterality between groups. There were more patients who played soccer in the BTB cohort (44%) vs HS cohort (20%) and fewer who played basketball in the BTB cohort (24%) vs HS cohort (41%), p = 0.005. There were no differences between the BTB and HS cohorts in terms of meniscus tears (61% v 72%, p = 0.15), meniscus repair (21% v 32%, p = 0.13), or partial meniscectomy (32% v 33%, p = 0.90). Mean duration of follow-up was 28 months (range 7-57 months). There was no difference in follow-up between cohorts (BTB 28 months and HS 29 months, p = 0.19). There were a total of 16 graft ruptures (10.5%). There was no difference in the rate of graft rupture between cohorts (BTB 8.5% vs HS 12.3%, p = 0.60). Mean time to graft rupture was 21 months (range 8 – 35 months) and Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated no difference between cohorts. Conclusions: ACL reconstruction in adolescents returning to high-risk sports can be performed utilizing BTB or HS autografts with similar rates of graft rupture. There is a trend toward lower rates of graft rupture associated with BTB autografts, but additional patients will be necessary to determine if this trend will become a statistically significant difference. Beynnon BD, Johnson RJ, Fleming BC, et al. Anterior cruciate ligament replacement: comparison of bone-patellar tendon bone grafts with two-strand hamstring grafts. A prospective, randomized study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2002;84(9):1503-1513. Ho B, Edmonds EW, Chambers HG et al. Risk factors for early ACL reconstruction failure in pediatric and adolescent patients: a review of 561 cases. J Pediatr Orthop 2016. Samuelsen BT, Webster KE, Johnson NR, et al. Hamstring autograft versus patellar tendon autograft for ACL reconstruction: is there a difference in graft failure rate? A meta-analysis of 47,613 patients. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2017;475(10):2459-2468.

The Incidence of Subsequent Meniscal Surgery Is Higher in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament–Reconstructed Knee Than in the Contralateral Knee

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (14) ◽  
pp. 3216-3222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent R. Davis ◽  
Jason Chen ◽  
Maria C.S. Inacio ◽  
Rebecca Love ◽  
Heather A. Prentice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Absolute Risk ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Contralateral Knee ◽  
Meniscal Surgery ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Reconstructed Knee

Background: A goal of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is to provide a meniscal protective effect for the knee. Purpose: (1) To evaluate whether there was a different likelihood of subsequent meniscal surgery in the ACL-reconstructed knee or in the normal contralateral knee and (2) to compare the risk factors associated with subsequent meniscal surgery in the ACL-reconstructed knee and contralateral knee. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Using an integrated health care system’s ACL reconstruction registry, patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction, with no meniscal injury at the time of index surgery and a normal contralateral knee, were evaluated. Subsequent meniscal tears associated with ACL graft revision were excluded. Subsequent meniscal surgery in either knee was the outcome of interest. Sex, age, and graft type were assessed as potential risk factors. Survival analysis was used to compare meniscal surgery–free survival rates and to assess risk factors of subsequent meniscal surgery. Results: Of 4087 patients, there were 32 (0.78%) patients who underwent subsequent meniscal surgery in the index knee and 9 (0.22%) in the contralateral knee. The meniscal surgery–free survival rate at 4 years was 99.08% (95% CI, 98.64%-99.37%) in the index knee and 99.65% (95% CI, 99.31%-99.82%) in the contralateral knee. There was a 3.73 (95% CI, 1.73-8.04; P < .001) higher risk of subsequent meniscal surgery in the index knee compared with the contralateral knee, or a 0.57% absolute risk difference. After adjustments, allografts (hazard ratio [HR], 5.06; 95% CI, 1.80-14.23; P = .002) and hamstring autografts (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.06-9.10; P = .038) were risk factors for subsequent meniscal surgery in the index knee compared with bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) autografts. Conclusion: After ACL reconstruction, the overall risk of subsequent meniscal surgery was low. However, the relative risk of subsequent meniscal surgery in the ACL-reconstructed knee was higher compared with the contralateral knee. Only graft type was found to be a risk factor for subsequent meniscal surgery in the ACL-reconstructed knee, with a higher risk for allografts and hamstring autografts compared with BPTB autografts.

Ten-Year Risk Factors for Inferior Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Study of 874 Patients From the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 2851-2858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Hamrin Senorski ◽  
Eleonor Svantesson ◽  
Kurt P. Spindler ◽  
Eduard Alentorn-Geli ◽  
David Sundemo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Knee Injury ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Ligament ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Factors relating to the patient and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction may help to identify prognostic factors of long-term outcome after reconstruction. Purpose: To determine 10-year risk factors for inferior knee function after ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Prospectively collected data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register were extracted for patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between January 2005 and December 2006. Patients who had no data at the 10-year follow-up for the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were excluded. Multivariable proportional odds regression modeling was used to assess 10-year patient- and surgery-related risk factors across all the KOOS subscales and the KOOS4 (mean score of 4 subscales: pain, knee-related symptoms, function in sport and recreation, and knee-related quality of life). Results: A total of 874 (41%) patients were included (male, 51.5%; median age at the time of ACL reconstruction, 27.5 years [range, 11.2-61.5 years]). An increase in the severity of concomitant articular cartilage injuries resulted in a reduced KOOS on 4 subscales (odds ratio, 0.64-0.80; P < .05). A higher preoperative KOOS pain score increased the odds of a higher score on the pain, symptoms, and sport subscales and the KOOS4. In addition, a higher preoperative body mass index was a significant risk factor for lower scores on 3 KOOS subscales and the KOOS4. No patient- or surgery-related predictor was significant across all KOOS subscales. Conclusion: This 10-year risk factor analysis identified several factors that can affect long-term knee function after ACL reconstruction. Most risk factors were related to preoperative patient-reported outcome and potentially modifiable. On the other hand, most of the surgery-related risk factors were nonmodifiable. Nevertheless, this information may be helpful to physicians and physical therapists counseling patients on their expectations of outcome after ACL reconstruction.

scholarly journals Sana: A Gamified Rehabilitation Management System for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Recovery

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 4868
Author(s):  
Tanaka Kungwengwe ◽  
Richard Evans
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Rehabilitation Management ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Secondary Osteoarthritis ◽  
User Experience Design ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) provides stabilization support for the back and forth motion of the knee joint. ACL ruptures account for 50% of all sports-related knee injuries with approximately 76.6% of them requiring reconstructive surgery, necessitating long-term patient rehabilitation. Compliance with rehabilitation management programs, following ACL reconstruction, is fundamental for the successful restoration of the knee’s kinematics and reducing the risk of secondary osteoarthritis. Existing recovery programs are often paper-based and require patients to perform exercises at home, unsupervised, resulting in a low level of self-efficacy; by promoting self-efficacy in home-based settings, rehabilitation outcomes can improve. This paper reports the design development of the Sana system, a mobile and wearable application that adopts behavioral design principles and gamification theory to improve long-term post-operative outcomes for ACL reconstruction recovery. A feasibility study was conducted from 15 October 2019–13 May 2020, employing the double diamond framework and a human-centered design approach (BS EN ISO 9241-210: 2019). Eighteen participants were recruited, including eight domain experts (in fields such as user experience design, human factors, and physiotherapy), and ten representative users who had undergone long-term rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries.

Outcomes of Quadriceps Tendon With Patellar Bone Block Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Adolescent Patients With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexia G. Gagliardi ◽  
Patrick M. Carry ◽  
Harin B. Parikh ◽  
Jay C. Albright
Keyword(s):  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Graft Failure ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Quadriceps Tendon ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Adolescent Patients ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the adolescent population is increasing. The quadriceps tendon–patellar bone autograft (QPA) has been established as a reliable graft choice for ACL reconstruction in the adult population. Purpose: To investigate graft failure, ability to return to sport, patient-reported functional outcomes, joint laxity, and subsequent injury among adolescent patients >2 years after primary ACL reconstruction with the QPA. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent QPA ACL reconstruction performed by a single surgeon were identified from an existing database. Information available in the database included demographics, concomitant/subsequent injuries, surgical procedures, graft failure, return to sport, and Lachman examination collected by medical record review. Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC) and Lysholm scores were collected by telephone or during a clinic visit >2 years postoperatively. Results: The final cohort included 81 of 104 consecutive adolescent patients aged 10 to 18 years (mean ± SD, 15.9 ± 1.7 years at the time of surgery) for whom follow-up information was collected at >2 years after surgery. The cumulative incidence of graft failure within the 36-month follow-up period was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.1%-11.4%). The rate of ipsilateral non-ACL injuries was similar (1.2%; 95% CI, 0.2%-7.6%). Contralateral ACL and non-ACL injuries requiring surgical intervention were documented in 9.8% (95% CI, 4.9%-19.5%). The median Pedi-IKDC score was 94 (interquartile range, 89-98). The median Lysholm score was 99.5 (interquartile range, 89.0-100.0). At 36 months after surgery, 87.9% (95% CI, 81.4%-94.9%) of individuals had returned to play. Conclusion: The quadriceps tendon–patellar autograft is a novel graft that demonstrates excellent stability and favorable patient-reported outcomes. Based on these results, the QPA is a reliable choice for primary ACL reconstruction in adolescent patients.

Return to Play and Long-term Participation in Pivoting Sports After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (14) ◽  
pp. 3339-3346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Line Lindanger ◽  
Torbjørn Strand ◽  
Anders Odd Mølster ◽  
Eirik Solheim ◽  
Eivind Inderhaug
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Replacement ◽  
Revision Surgery ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Sports Participation ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Replacement Surgery ◽  
Long Term Consequences ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a common and feared injury among athletes because of its potential effect on further sports participation. Reported rates of return to pivoting sports after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) vary in the literature, and the long-term consequences of returning have rarely been studied. Purpose: To examine the rate and level of return to pivoting sports after ACLR, the duration of sports participation, and long-term consequences of returning to pivoting sports. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: All primary ACLRs with a bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft between 1987 and 1994 (N = 234) in athletes participating in team handball, basketball, or soccer before injury were selected from a single-center quality database. A long-term evaluation (median, 25 years; range, 22-30 years) was performed using a questionnaire focusing on return to pivoting sports, the duration of sports activity after surgery, later contralateral ACL injuries, revision surgery, and knee replacement surgery. Participants were stratified into 2 groups depending on the time between injury and surgery (early, <24 months; late, ≥24 months). Results: A total of 93% of patients (n = 217) responded to the questionnaire. Although 83% of patients returned to pivoting sports after early ACLR, only 53% returned to preinjury level. Similar return-to-sport rates were observed in males and females ( P > .05), but males had longer sports careers (median, 10 years; range, 1-23 years) than females (median, 4 years; range, 1-25 years; P < .001). The incidence of contralateral ACL injuries was 28% among athletes who returned to sports versus 4% among athletes who did not return ( P = .017) after early ACLR. The pooled reinjury rate after return to preinjury level of sports was 41% (30%, contralateral injuries; 11%, revision surgery). The incidence of contralateral ACL injuries was 32% among females versus 23% among males ( P > .05) and, for revision surgery, was 12% among females versus 7% among males ( P > .05) after returning to sports. Having a late ACLR was associated with an increased risk of knee replacement surgery (9% vs 3%; P = .049) when compared with having an early ACLR. Conclusion: ACLR does not necessarily enable a return to preinjury sports participation. By returning to pivoting sports after ACLR, athletes are also facing a high risk of contralateral ACL injuries. Long-term evaluations in risk assessments after ACLR are important, as a significant number of subsequent ACL injuries occur later than the routine follow-up.

Secondary Meniscal Tears in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Relationship Among Operative Management, Osteoarthritis, and Arthroplasty at 18-Year Mean Follow-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1583-1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michella H. Hagmeijer ◽  
Mario Hevesi ◽  
Vishal S. Desai ◽  
Thomas L. Sanders ◽  
Christopher L. Camp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Meniscal Tear ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Meniscal Tears ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most frequent orthopaedic injuries and reasons for time loss in sports and carries significant implications, including posttraumatic osteoarthritis (OA). Instability associated with ACL injury has been linked to the development of secondary meniscal tears (defined as tears that develop after the initial ACL injury). To date, no study has examined secondary meniscal tears after ACL injury and their effect on OA and arthroplasty risk. Purpose: To describe the rates and natural history of secondary meniscal tears after ACL injury and to determine the effect of meniscal tear treatment on the development of OA and conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A geographic database of >500,000 patients was reviewed to identify patients with primary ACL injuries between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2005. Information was collected with regard to ACL injury treatment, rates/characteristics of the secondary meniscal tears, and outcomes, including development of OA and conversion to TKA. Kaplan-Meier and adjusted multivariate survival analyses were performed to test for the effect of meniscal treatment on survivorship free of OA and TKA. Results: Of 1398 primary ACL injuries, the overall rate of secondary meniscal tears was 16%. Significantly lower rates of secondary meniscal tears were noted among patients undergoing acute ACL reconstruction within 6 months (7%) as compared with patients with delayed ACL reconstruction (33%, P < .01) and nonoperative ACL management (19%, P < .01). Of the 235 secondary meniscal tears identified (196 patients), 11.5% underwent repair, 73% partial meniscectomy, and 16% were treated nonoperatively. Tears were most often medial in location (77%) and complex in morphology (56% of medial tears, 54% of lateral tears). At the time of final follow-up, no patient undergoing repair of a secondary meniscal tear (0%) underwent TKA, as opposed to 10.9% undergoing meniscectomy and 6.1% receiving nonoperative treatment ( P = .28). Conclusion: Secondary meniscal tears after ACL injury are most common among patients undergoing delayed surgical or nonoperative treatment of their primary ACL injuries. Secondary tears often present as complex tears of the medial meniscus and result in high rates of partial meniscectomy.

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