Affiliation:
1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Universitas Padjadjaran Bandung Indonesia
2. Faculty of Medicine Universitas Sumatera Utara Medan Indonesia
Abstract
ABSTRACTPurposeThe duration for which anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) can be delayed without resulting in a risk of subsequent meniscus injury has remained a debatable topic. The main purpose of this study was to determine the safest delay interval for a delayed ACLR.MethodsThis retrospective study included all patients who underwent ACLR between January 2020 and January 2022. The patients were divided into four groups based on the delay interval: <3 months, 3–6 months, 6–12 months and >12 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) at 1‐year postoperatively.ResultsA total of 95 patients were included in this study. ACLR delay of 3–6 months was not associated with the risk of meniscus injury, while a delay of 6–12 months (odds ratio [OR] = 4.35; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13–16.79; p = 0.031) and >12 months (OR = 10.68; 95% CI = 2.55–42.22; p = 0.001) was associated with a likelihood of developing meniscus injury. Meniscus injury risk increased by 12% for each month of ACLR delay (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.04–1.22; p = 0.003). Regarding clinical outcomes at 1‐year postoperatively, all groups exhibit the same clinical results.ConclusionACLR can be safely delayed up to 6 months after the initial injury. However, a delay for >6 months must be avoided, as it was found to significantly increase the likelihood of developing a meniscus injury.Level of EvidenceLevel III, retrospective comparative study.