Time to Surgery and the Risk of Meniscus and Chondral Injury in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear in Chum Phae Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64960/srimedj.v41i1.269690Keywords:
anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL injury), anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), time to surgery, meniscus injury, chondral injury, Chumphae HospitalAbstract
Background and Objective: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is common among young and active individuals. ACL tear leads to knee instability and is associated with secondary meniscal and chondral injuries, which may increase the risk of early osteoarthritis. Although anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is the standard treatment, the optimal timing of surgery remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between time to surgery and the risk of meniscal and chondral injuries in patients with ACL tear in Chumphae Hospital
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 168 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in Chum Phae Hospital. Patients were stratified into two primary groups based on the time interval from injury to surgery: the early surgery group (within 3 months) and the delayed surgery group (after 3 months). Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed for intervals of 3–6 months, 6–12 months, and greater than 12 months to compare the incidence and risk of meniscal and chondral injuries between groups.
Results: Patients undergoing surgery after a delay of more than 12 months demonstrated a significantly higher risk of medial meniscus injury compared to the early surgery group (OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.16–6.41, p = 0.02). No significant association was observed for lateral or both meniscus injuries. Regarding chondral injury, although a higher odds ratio was noted in the > 12 months group (OR = 8.65), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.67).
Conclusion: Delayed ACLR, particularly after 12 months, was associated with an increased risk of medial meniscal injury. However, no significant association was found regarding lateral meniscal, both meniscal or chondral injuries.
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