A larger side-to-side difference in anterior knee laxity increases the prevalence of medial and lateral meniscal injuries in patients with ACL injuries.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence the prevalence of medial and lateral meniscal injuries at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients with ACL injuries.

METHODS

Patients with ACL injuries at 9 institutions were enrolled in this multicentre study. Age, sex, duration between injury and surgery, pivot shift test grade, anterior knee laxity determined using the Kneelax 3 arthrometer, and other variables were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Meniscal conditions were evaluated via arthroscopy.

RESULTS

In all, 830 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of medial and lateral meniscal tears was 32.0% (266 knees) and 26.5% (220 knees), respectively. Significant factors that influenced the prevalence of medial meniscal injuries were age [odds ratio (OR) 1.03; P = 0.000], side-to-side differences in instrumented anterior knee laxity before surgery (OR 1.12; P = 0.002), duration between injury and surgery (≥ 12 months) (OR 1.86; P = 0.023), and pivot shift test grade (OR 1.36; P = 0.014). Significant factors of lateral meniscal injury were side-to-side differences in anterior knee laxity before surgery (OR 1.12; P = 0.003) and the male sex (OR 1.50; P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

Greater anterior knee laxity, age, a longer duration between injury and surgery, and a higher pivot shift test grade predicted medial meniscal injury. Greater anterior knee laxity and the male sex predicted lateral meniscal injury. In patients with ACL injuries, the importance of side-to-side differences in anterior knee laxity should be rediscovered from the viewpoint of meniscal conditions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.