Risk Factors Associated with Cartilage Defects after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Military Draftees

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the different clinical results and factors associated with cartilage defects in military draftees who underwent different treatments after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Overall, 105 patients who had sustained ACL rupture were military draftees who underwent a conscription examination for physical status assessment from January 2012 to December 2020. Patients were divided into three groups: conservative treatment after ACL rupture, status post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but graft rupture, and status post-ACLR with graft intact. Inter-group comparisons and statistical analyses were performed for age, body mass index (BMI), thigh circumference difference, side-to-side difference in anterior knee translation by KT-2000, meniscus tear, and cartilage defect. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with cartilage defects. The multivariable regression model showed that BMI (odds ratio OR: 1.303; 95% CI: 1.016–1.672; p = 0.037), thigh circumference difference (OR: 1.403; 95% CI: 1.003–1.084; p = 0.034), tear of lateral meniscus (LM) and medial meniscus (MM) (OR: 13.773; 95% CI: 1.354–140.09; p = 0.027), and graft rupture group (OR: 5.191; 95% CI: 1.388–19.419; p = 0.014) increased the risk of cartilage defects. There was no correlation between cartilage defects and age, KT-2000 difference, tear of LM or MM, or graft intact group. Progression of osteoarthritis was concerned after ACL rupture, and this study identified several factors of post-ACLR graft rupture, greater thigh circumference difference, BMI, and meniscus tear of both LM and MM affecting cartilage defects, which represent early degenerative osteoarthritis changes of the knee. The results of this study should be customized for rehabilitation and military training, especially in military draftees with ACL injuries.

Risk factors of cartilage lesion after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

“…Meanwhile, we must consider the impact of other professions, such as the military community ( Sun et al, 2022 ). The frequency of ACL injuries was ten times higher in the military than in the general population ( Owens et al, 2007 ), and OA rates were much higher ( Cameron et al, 2011 ).…”

Osteoartrosis postraumática en paciente con ruptura crónica de ligamento cruzado anterior. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura

“…Por lo tanto, la reconstrucción del LCA restaura la estabilidad de la articulación y previene cambios degenerativos tempranos de la rodilla. 8,9,10 La osteoartrosis (OA) temprana es la consecuencia más común de la ruptura del LCA. 8 La osteoartrosis postraumática (OAPT) ocurre a consecuencia de un trauma que pone en cargas excesivas de estrés a la articulación.…”

“…8,9,10 La osteoartrosis (OA) temprana es la consecuencia más común de la ruptura del LCA. 8 La osteoartrosis postraumática (OAPT) ocurre a consecuencia de un trauma que pone en cargas excesivas de estrés a la articulación. Las lesiones ligamentarias de la rodilla, principalmente lesiones del LCA, resultan en OAPT.…”