Longer time between anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction is associated with a greater risk of medial meniscus injury.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of delaying reconstruction following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on the risk of meniscal injury and subsequent meniscectomy, the study was carried out. This constitutes the first study of its kind to be conducted in China.

METHODS

This study collected data on patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction surgery at Peking University First Hospital between 2010 and 2022. Patient's injury details, including the time and cause of ACL injury, surgery date and meniscal injury details, were recorded. Patients were stratified into distinct cohorts based on the duration between injury and reconstruction. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of a delayed reconstruction time on the risk of meniscal injury and meniscectomy.

RESULTS

The study involved patients with an average age of 34.1 ± 11.3 years. Nearly half of the patients (49.74%) had meniscal injuries. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender and the time from ACL trauma to surgery were significantly associated with meniscus injury ( < 0.01). Men have a higher risk of meniscus damage than women ( < 0.01, odds ratio: 1.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-3.05). Patients who had surgery 12 months after injury had a significantly increased risk of meniscus injury compared to those who had surgery within 3 months after injury ( < 0.01). The time from ACL injury to operation was significantly correlated with medial meniscus injury ( < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between time to ACL reconstruction and lateral meniscus injury ( > 0.05). Age was significantly associated with the risk of medial meniscectomy ( > 0.05). Time from injury to surgery was not significantly associated with the risk of lateral meniscectomy ( > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed reconstruction beyond 12 months after ACL rupture increases the risk of medial meniscus injury. The risk of meniscus injury after ACL injury is higher in men than in women, and the risk of medial meniscectomy increases with age.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.