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J Knee Surg 2022; 35(05): 560-565
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716378
Original Article

Cartilage and Meniscus Injuries Are More Common in Patients Undergoing Delayed Multiligament Reconstruction

Alan G. Shamrock 
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
,
James R. Hall
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
,
Christina J. Hajewski
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
,
Qiang An
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
,
Kyle R. Duchman
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of meniscus and cartilage pathology in multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) and determine the relationship between surgical timing and injury mechanism with degree of intra-articular injury. Patients with surgically treated MLKIs over a 15-year period were retrospectively reviewed and grouped based on surgical intervention, time to intervention, and injury mechanism. The presence or absence of meniscus and chondral injury were recorded at the time of surgery. Surgical intervention within 6 weeks of injury was deemed acute, while surgery occurring more than 6 weeks from injury was classified as delayed. Over the 15-year study period, 207 patients with MLKIs were identified. Compared with acutely managed patients, the delayed intervention group had significantly more meniscus (p = 0.03) and cartilage (p < 0.01) pathology. Meniscus injury rates in MLKIs sustained during sporting activity did not differ from nonsporting injuries (p = 0.63). However, the nonsporting group had significantly more chondral injuries (p < 0.01). High-energy injury mechanism was associated with increased cartilage (p = 0.02), but not meniscus (p = 0.61) injury rates. In conclusion, surgical reconstruction of MLKIs delayed for more than 6 weeks was associated with increased meniscus and cartilage pathology.

Keywords

multiligament - knee - cartilage - meniscus - surgery timing


Publication History

Received: 19 November 2019

Accepted: 21 July 2020

Article published online:
08 September 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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