Is an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction outcome age dependent?

Treatment of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in older patients must be considered in relation to healing delays, rehabilitation difficulties, stiffness, arthritis, and actual athletic demands. This study compares ACL reconstructions in patients 40-years old and older with those under 40-years old and contrasts these to published nonoperative data in the 40 and older patient. Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction between 1992 and 1994 were preoperatively and postoperatively assessed with Lysholm, Tegner, KT, radiographic, and clinical examinations. They were divided into two groups: those 40 years and older (group 1) and those 39 years and younger (group 2). Group 1 had 33 patients with an average age of 44 years (range, 40 to 52 years). Radiographic Fairbank changes were absent. Group 2 had 170 patients with an average age of 27 years (range, 16 to 39 years). Group 1 preoperative instability and intake data were not statistically different from those of group 2. Average follow-up was 21 months for both groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in all parameters at 12- and 24-month follow-up examinations. Lysholm scores, Tegner scores, average KT manual maximum side-to-side differences, Lachman tests, and pivot shift testing were not statistically different in either group. Using Lysholm criteria, in group 1, 89% had excellent/good results, and 11% fair/poor results. This was not statistically different from group 2, which showed 91% excellent/good results and 9% fair/poor results at 24-month follow-up examination. For this age group, nonoperative treatment reports indicate 57% excellent/good results and 43% fair/poor results. The outcomes between these groups are the same and fail to establish the age of 40 years as a barrier to successful ACL reconstruction.