Itaru Kawashima1,2,3, Takashi Tsukahara4,5, Tadahiro Sakai6, Ryosuke Kawai4,5, Shinya Ishizuka7, Hideki Hiraiwa7, Shiro Imagama7. 1. Asahi University Hospital, Gifu, Japan. itaru.kawashima@gmail.com. 2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Asahi University Hospital, 3-23 Hashimotocho, Gifu, 500-8523, Japan. itaru.kawashima@gmail.com. 3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan. itaru.kawashima@gmail.com. 4. Asahi University Hospital, Gifu, Japan. 5. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Asahi University Hospital, 3-23 Hashimotocho, Gifu, 500-8523, Japan. 6. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toyota Memorial Hospital, 1-1 Heiwa-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 471-8513, Japan. 7. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 466-8550, Japan.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: No widely accepted evidence-based indications exist for the initial surgical management of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries ≥ 40 years old, and treatment for these patients remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between elapsed time from ACL injury to surgery and the incidence of meniscal tears and chondral injury in patients aged ≥ 40 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction were divided into two groups based on elapsed time from injury to surgery: early group, < 12 months; and delayed group, ≥ 12 months. Patient records were reviewed for incidence and types of meniscal tears and chondral injuries in each group. Chondral injury grades were evaluated with International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) Criteria. RESULTS: This study evaluated 67 knees in the early group and 33 knees in the delayed group. Mean ages in each group were 46.9 ± 6.5 and 46.9 ± 6.0. The delayed group showed significantly higher rates of medial meniscal tear [31 of 33, 93.9% vs 29 of 67, 43.3%; P < 0.0001; odds ratio (OR), 20.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.49-91.9], medial femoral condyle chondral injuries ≥ ICRS grade II (15 of 33, 45.5% vs 8 of 67, 11.9%; P < 0.001; OR, 6.15; 95% CI 2.24-16.83), and medial tibial chondral injuries ≥ ICRS grade II (7 of 33, 21.2% vs 3 of 67, 4.5%; P < 0.05; OR, 5.74; 95% CI 1.38-23.9) compared with the early group. With respect to types of medial meniscal tear, the delayed group showed a significantly higher frequency of bucket handle tears (11 of 33, 33.3%) compared with the early group (2 of 67, 3.0%; P < 0.0001; OR, 16.25; 95% CI 3.34-79.1). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed ACL reconstruction was associated with increased incidence of chondral injuries and medial meniscal tears, particularly bucket handle tears in this cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.
INTRODUCTION: No widely accepted evidence-based indications exist for the initial surgical management of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries ≥ 40 years old, and treatment for these patients remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between elapsed time from ACL injury to surgery and the incidence of meniscal tears and chondral injury in patients aged ≥ 40 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who underwent primary ACL reconstruction were divided into two groups based on elapsed time from injury to surgery: early group, < 12 months; and delayed group, ≥ 12 months. Patient records were reviewed for incidence and types of meniscal tears and chondral injuries in each group. Chondral injury grades were evaluated with International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) Criteria. RESULTS: This study evaluated 67 knees in the early group and 33 knees in the delayed group. Mean ages in each group were 46.9 ± 6.5 and 46.9 ± 6.0. The delayed group showed significantly higher rates of medial meniscal tear [31 of 33, 93.9% vs 29 of 67, 43.3%; P < 0.0001; odds ratio (OR), 20.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.49-91.9], medial femoral condyle chondral injuries ≥ ICRS grade II (15 of 33, 45.5% vs 8 of 67, 11.9%; P < 0.001; OR, 6.15; 95% CI 2.24-16.83), and medial tibial chondral injuries ≥ ICRS grade II (7 of 33, 21.2% vs 3 of 67, 4.5%; P < 0.05; OR, 5.74; 95% CI 1.38-23.9) compared with the early group. With respect to types of medial meniscal tear, the delayed group showed a significantly higher frequency of bucket handle tears (11 of 33, 33.3%) compared with the early group (2 of 67, 3.0%; P < 0.0001; OR, 16.25; 95% CI 3.34-79.1). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed ACL reconstruction was associated with increased incidence of chondral injuries and medial meniscal tears, particularly bucket handle tears in this cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.
Authors: A Korthaus; M Krause; G Pagenstert; M Warncke; F Brembach; Karl-Heinz Frosch; J P Kolb Journal: Arch Orthop Trauma Surg Date: 2021-12-28 Impact factor: 3.067