The Prevalence, Zone, and Type of the Meniscus Tear in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury; Does Delayed ACL Reconstruction Affects the Meniscal Injury?

Background: Meniscus tear is a common finding in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and may affect the natural history of the injury and the outcomes of treatment. In the current study, the characteristics of meniscus tears in patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were investigated. Methods: The hospital records of 1022 patients were reviewed. The measured variables included the presence of meniscus tear, ramp and root injury, the zone of injury based on the Cooper classification, and the type of tear. The ACL tears with delay more than 3 months for ACLR were recorded as chronic injuries. Results: The incidence of meniscus tear was 44.4%; among whom, bucket-handle injury was the most common type (30.4%) and the ramp lesion was found in 20.5%. The meniscus was repaired in 56.6%. The incidence of medial meniscus injury was significantly higher in chronic ACL tears and vice versa (P<0.001). The incidence of ramp lesion (9.1% Vs 20.5%) and root tear (1.3% Vs 2.9%) were significantly higher in the chronic and acute tears, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: Delay more than 3 months in ACLR was associated with the increased incidence of meniscal injury, specially the medial meniscus, and ramp lesion. It seems that early ACLR may be more helpful for the patients.