Delaying ACL reconstruction is associated with increased rates of medial meniscal tear

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the time from injury to ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and the rate as well as repairability of meniscal tears. Secondary aims were to evaluate the relationship between meniscal injury and Tegner Activity Scale, age, BMI, and gender.MethodsBetween 2012 and 2022, 1,840 consecutive ACLRs were performed. A total of 1,317 ACLRs were included with a mean patient age of 31.2 years & PLUSMN; 10.5 [16-60]. Meniscal tear was assessed during arthroscopy using the ISAKOS classification. Time from injury to ACLR, Tegner Activity Scale, age, BMI and gender were analysed in uni- and then in multivariate analyses. Patients were divided into four groups according to the time from injury to surgery: < 3 months (427; 32%), 3-6 months (388; 29%), 6-12 months (248; 19%) and > 12 months (254; 19%).ResultsDelaying ACLR > 12 months significantly increased the rate of medial meniscal (MM) injury (OR 1.14; p < 0.001). No correlation was found between a 3- or 6-month time from injury to surgery and MM tear. Performing ACLR > 3, 6, or 12 months after injury did not significantly increase the rate of lateral meniscal (LM) injury. Increasing Tegner activity scale was significantly associated with a lower rate of MM injury (OR 0.90; p = 0.020). An age > 30 years (OR 1.07; p = 0.025) and male gender (OR 1.13; p < 0.0001) was also associated with an increased rate of MM injury. Age > 30 years decreased the rate of MM repair (OR 0.85; p < 0.001). Male gender increased the rate of LM tear (OR 1.10; p = 0.001).ConclusionPerforming ACLR more than 12 months after injury was associated with increased rates of MM injury but not with lower rates of repairable lesions. An increased pre-injury Tegner activity score was associated with a decreased rate of MM tear. Age > 30 years was associated with an increased rate of MM tear with concomitant ACL injury and a decreased rate of repairability of MM tear. ACLR should be performed within 12 months from injury to prevent from the risk of MM injury.

Automated summary

The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the time from injury to ACL reconstruction and the rate as well as repairability of meniscal tears. It also explored the association between meniscal injury and factors such as Tegner Activity Scale, age, BMI, and gender. The findings showed that delaying ACL reconstruction for more than 12 months increased the rate of medial meniscal injury. There was no correlation between a 3- or 6-month time frame and medial meniscal tear. Performing ACL reconstruction 3, 6, or 12 months after injury did not significantly increase the rate of lateral meniscal injury. Age, gender, and Tegner activity score were found to have associations with meniscal injury.