Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Allograft in Adults Older Than the Age of 40 Years Shows Similar Patient-Reported Outcomes Between Male and Female Patients

Purpose

To evaluate patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using allograft in patients 40 years of age or older divided by sex.

Methods

Patients age 40 years of age or older who underwent ACL reconstruction by the same surgeon using allograft via anteromedial portal technique were retrospectively identified. Patient-reported outcomes (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Tegner, Lysholm, Marx, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation) were evaluated and recorded, and outcomes were analyzed by sex.

Results

In total, 159 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction were reviewed. Two-year outcomes were obtained. All patients noted improvement in patient-reported outcome measures. Male patients had overall greater postoperative patient-reported outcomes measures at all time points for IKDC, Tegner, Lysholm, Marx, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores; however, the only significant time points were IKDC 6 months (P = .016), 1 year (P = .012) and Marx 1 year (P = .007) and 2 year (P = .016). Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scores similarly showed greater postoperative scores at all time points and statistical significance at 3 months (P = .002), 6 months (P = .033), and 1 year (P = .031).

Conclusions

ACL reconstruction in individuals older than the age of 40 years using allograft results in good outcomes compared with preoperative status. Patient-reported outcomes were similar between male and female patients regarding most patient-reported outcome measures.

Level of Evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort study.