The Association between the Duration of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture-reconstruction with Meniscal Lesions and Knee Functional Outcomes

Background: Given the controversial correlation between the duration of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture-reconstruction and knee functional outcomes reported in previous studies, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between the duration of ACL rupture-reconstruction with knee meniscal lesions and functional outcomes. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 221 patients with ACL rupture who underwent ACL reconstruction at a referral hospital in Tehran, Iran, from April 2021 to May 2023. Demographic characteristics and data about the duration of ACL rupture reconstruction were collected using the patients’ clinical documents. The status of knee meniscal lesions had been evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging report or operation note. After that, knee functional outcomes had been assed using Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scale. The correlation between the duration of ACL rupture-reconstruction with knee meniscal lesions and functional outcomes was evaluated using the multivariate regression test. Results: Most patients were male, with a mean age of 28.38 ± 7.33 years. The correlation between the duration of ACL rupture-reconstruction and knee meniscal lesions was statistically significant ( P = 0.026); however, the correlation between the duration of ACL rupture-reconstruction with the KOOS questionnaire scale score and all its dimensions as a scale for assessing knee outcomes was not significant ( P > 0.05). Conclusion: Although early ACL reconstruction is accompanied by reduced knee meniscal lesions, this cannot improve knee functional outcomes.