Demographic Factors Associated With an Increased Incidence of Intra-articular Injuries After Delayed Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Background: Delays from the time of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear to surgical reconstruction are associated with an increased incidence of meniscal and chondral injuries. Purpose: To evaluate the association between delays in ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and risk factors for intra-articular injuries across 8 patient demographic subsets. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent ACLR from January 2009 to May 2015 at a single institution. Variables collected were age, sex, body mass index, time from injury to surgery, and presence of meniscal tears and chondral injuries. Demographic subsets were created according to sex, age (<27 vs ≥27 years), body mass index (<25 vs ≥25 kg/m2), and injury setting (sports vs non–sports related). Subsets were divided by time from injury to ACLR: 0 to <6 months (control group), 6 to <12 months, and ≥12 months. Multivariate logistic regression–generated odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Results: Overall, 410 patients were included. ORs were significant for an increased incidence of medial meniscal tears (MMTs) (OR, 1.12-3.72; P =.02), medial femoral condyle (MFC) injuries (OR, 1.18-4.81; P =.02), and medial tibial plateau (MTP) injuries (OR, 1.33-31.07; P =.02) with surgical delays of 6 to <12 months. With ≥12-month delays, significance was found for MMTs (OR, 2.92-8.64; P