Outcomes >30 Years After Initial Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

3Citations
Citations of this article
27Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Background: It is unclear how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) affects the development of osteoarthritis (OA). This uncertainty is partly caused by the lack of long-term studies on ACL injuries treated primarily without reconstruction and the underreporting of symptomatic OA. Purpose: To determine (1) the knee function, symptoms, and activity level, as well as the presence of radiographic and symptomatic OA; (2) how these clinical outcomes have changed over time; and (3) the frequency of subsequent knee surgeries after the index ACL injury in a cohort of patients with ACL injuries treated primarily without reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 100 patients underwent initial nonoperative treatment >30 years ago (mean, 33.2 ± 1.4 years). Of these, 81 patients (mean age, 59 ± 8 years) completed the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and Tegner Activity Scale. Seventy-three patients underwent radiography to evaluate tibiofemoral and patellofemoral OA in the ACL-injured knee. Patients only underwent late ACLR if they experienced insufficient knee stability. Results: At 33 years after the ACL injury, the KOOS Activities of Daily Living subscore was better than population-based reference values, but scores were similar for the remaining KOOS subscales. Furthermore, 65% of patients had a good or excellent Lysholm score (≥84 points). The Tegner score decreased 4 points from before the injury to 33-year follow-up (P 30 years after an ACL injury when an initial nonoperative treatment strategy was employed.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Hellberg, C., Kostogiannis, I., Stylianides, A., & Neuman, P. (2024). Outcomes >30 Years After Initial Nonoperative Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(2), 320–329. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465231214423

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free