Meniscal Preservation is More Likely When Performed with Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Rather Than with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

BackgroundRupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) often occurs in conjunction with meniscal tears. In this study we investigate the rates and outcomes of meniscal repair surgery performed with ACL reconstruction compared with acute ACL repair surgery.MethodsData was collected for all patients undergoing surgery for ACL ruptures between 2012 and 2018, including ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft and primary ACL repair augmented with suture tape. Patients undergoing multiligament surgery was excluded. Meniscal injury was evaluated intra-operatively and the treatment determined by type of tear, reducibility, and quality of meniscal tissue. If possible, tears were repaired using all-inside anchors and all others were resected. ResultsThere were 272 ACL reconstructions and 134 ACL repairs, mean age was 28 (±9) and 35 (±14) years respectively (p<0.01). The mean Tegner activity score was 6.6 in both groups. The mean interval from injury to surgery was longer in the reconstruction group (26.2 v 1.3 months, p<0.01). 55% of reconstructions and 43% of ACL repairs required meniscal surgery at the time of their ACL procedure. In the reconstruction group 123 (70%) were meniscectomies and 53 (30%) were meniscal repairs, compared to 31 (50%) of each in the ACL repair group. Meniscal repair was more likely to be possible when carried out as part of acute ACL repair surgery, χ2(1, n=238)=7.94, p<0.01. The success rate of meniscal repair was 97% in both groups. ConclusionsThe rate of meniscal repair is 67% higher when performed early with ACL repair. When ACL reconstruction is performed, meniscal resection was more likely. Rates of post-traumatic osteoarthritis are high after ACL reconstruction when performed with meniscal resection. Furthermore, the success rate of meniscal repair in conjunction with ACL surgery is high (97%). Therefore, meniscal repair should be encouraged whenever possible to improve long term outcomes. Level of Evidence: III

Suture Tape Augmentation Repair For Partial ACL Tears: A Prospective Case Series And Surgical Technique

“…Also, Endo Button is less expensive, and, in case of repair failure, ACLR would be easier to perform. However, both anchor and Endo Button have a major potential disadvantage in the form of postoperative displacement [17].A new study reported that ACL repair (suture anchor) was associated with greater meniscal preservation compared to ACLR[18]. In our study, seven patients had concomitant medial meniscus injury, but we did not assess the rate of repair of medial meniscus in them, and this was beyond the scope of the present study.According to a recent cadaveric study, in a femoral avulsion model, valgus, varus, internal, or external rotation of knees that underwent ACL augmentation repair (internal brace) are similar to those thatJournal of Community Medicine and Public Health Reports ISSN: 2692-9899 Citation: Qalib YO, Dachepalli S, Medagam SR, Gupta LK (2024) Suture Tape Augmentation Repair For Partial Acl Tears: A Prospective Case Series And Surgical Technique.…”