Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft With Lateral Compartment Meniscectomy or Chondroplasty Does Not Lead to Decreased Return to Sport and Activity Compared With No Lateral Pathology

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the influence of lateral meniscal and cartilage pathology on the outcome after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients who participate in pivoting sports.

Methods

Using a single-surgeon patient registry, patients undergoing an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft were evaluated with minimum 2-year patient reported outcomes evaluated using Marx, Tegner, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee scales. Patients were divided into 3 groups: isolated ACL surgery, ACLR with a partial lateral meniscectomy, or a ACLR with partial lateral meniscectomy and lateral compartment chondroplasty.

Results

A total of 98 patients met inclusion criteria. Using the isolated ACL reconstruction group as a control, we found that Marx scores were greater in patients who additionally underwent a partial lateral meniscectomy at 1 year (P = .016). There were no significant differences between the ACL-only group and the ACL with partial lateral meniscectomy and chondroplasty group. Within the partial meniscectomy cohort comparing the patients with red-white zone tears with the patients with white-white zone tear, we found there were no significant differences when compared with the ACL-only control. There were no significant differences appreciated between groups using the International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner scales.

Conclusions

ACL reconstruction using bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft with anteromedial portal drilling technique does not have any significant short-term (2-year outcome) differences in return to activity and patient-reported outcomes compared with if patients additionally have a partial lateral meniscectomy and/or lateral compartment chondroplasty. Additional partial lateral meniscectomy showed significantly greater Marx scores at 1 and 2 years’ postoperatively.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort study.