Different Patterns of Meniscal Tears in Recent Anterior Cruciate Ligament ( ACL ) Ruptures and Chronic ACL-deficient Knees

Kim, Ryuh Sub; Kim, Myung Ku; Ko, Suk Myun; Lee, Kwan Hee; Choi, Dong Hun

Abstract

PURPOSE: We tried to outline the incidence and characteristics of meniscal tears in recent lesions and chronic insufficiency of the ACL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Through this retrospective study of 103 reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) performed between Jun 1996 to Sep 1998, according to a more accurate evaluation, ACL-deficient knees can be classified into two different stages (recent, chronic injuries).
RESULTS
Overall, there was a significantly increasing incidence of meniscal tears in chronic injuries (P<0.05). A predominance of lateral meniscal tears were demonstrated with recent injuries, whereas the incidence of medial meniscal tears increased significantly with chronic injuries (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the increase of lateral meniscal lesion in recent ACL rupture and increase of severe meniscal lesion, especially medial meniscus, with progressive worsening of knee instability after an ACL injury. Although not significant, meniscal tears in the recent injuries were more amenable to repair. The results suggest that maximal meniscal preservation is best achieved with ACL reconstruction shortly after injury.