Is Insurance Status Associated With Likelihood of Operative ACL Injury Treatment Compared With Nonoperative Treatment?

Abstract

Background: While many factors inform the choice of operative versus nonoperative treatment of injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee, socioeconomic status influences this decision, as has been reported with other procedures. Purpose: To identify any associations between insurance status and likelihood of operative treatment of ACL injuries. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was queried using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes for ACL injuries and reconstruction from 2001 to 2013. Chi-square analysis was performed to determine significant predictors of operative intervention. Binary logistic regression was used to account for demographic and significant predictor variables. Results were recorded as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs. Significance was defined as P