Meniscal tears sustained awaiting anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Injury. 2003 May;34(5):343-5. doi: 10.1016/s0020-1383(02)00124-9.

Abstract

We reviewed 68 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction after initial EUA & arthroscopy in the knee unit of a United Kingdom district general hospital. Mean time between injury and ACL reconstruction surgery was 23.3 months with the incidence of meniscal tear at reconstruction being 67.6%. In this series 10.3% of patients sustained a meniscal tear in the delay period between arthroscopy and reconstruction surgery. Meniscal tear is strongly associated with ACL rupture and also a poorer outcome following reconstruction surgery. The delay in diagnosis and wait for reconstruction surgery that patients experience are potentially worsening surgical outcomes in the anterior cruciate deficient knee.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
  • Arthroscopy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rupture
  • Tibial Meniscus Injuries*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United Kingdom
  • Waiting Lists