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J Knee Surg 2024; 37(06): 426-435
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1774800
Original Article

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture Combined with Complete Radial Tear of the Posterior Horn of the Lateral Meniscus: Suture or Resection?

Daohua Chen
1   Department of Bone and Joint Sports Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
,
Rong Wu
1   Department of Bone and Joint Sports Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
,
Yanqing Lai
1   Department of Bone and Joint Sports Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
,
Bo Xiao
1   Department of Bone and Joint Sports Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
,
Jiajing Lai
1   Department of Bone and Joint Sports Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
,
Minghua Zhang 
1   Department of Bone and Joint Sports Medicine, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China
› Author Affiliations Funding Startup fund for scientific research, Fujian Medical University (grant number: 2019QH1209).
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Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture often presents with a tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. There is no clear preference between ACL reconstruction with suture and resection of the meniscus. We aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of ACL reconstruction with suture versus resection in patients presenting with arthroscopic ACL rupture and radial complete tear of the posterior corner of the lateral meniscus. We retrospectively analyzed 157 patients with ACL rupture and complete radial tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus. Between May 2010 and April 2015, 86 of 157 patients underwent ACL reconstruction and meniscus suture (study group, 54.78%) and 71 of 157 patients underwent ACL reconstruction and meniscus resection (control group, 45.22%) in our department. All patients were monitored over the 12 to 72-month follow-up period. The primary evaluation indices were the Lysholm scores, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, pivot shift test, the Barret criteria, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of meniscal healing. The majority of 157 patients were relatively young men (29.64 ± 7.79 years) with low body mass index (BMI) (23.79 ± 2.74). The postoperative Lysholm and IKDC scores of the two groups were significantly improved over the corresponding preoperative scores (p < 0.05). The clinical results and excellent and good rates were significantly better for the study group than for the control group (both, p < 0.05). MRI showed that the meniscal healed rate of the study group was 96.51%. There was no significant difference in BMI between subgroups for any functional outcome. For patients with ACL rupture and complete radial tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus, ACL reconstruction and both simultaneous suture and resection of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus were found to be safe and effective. There was no association between outcomes and BMI. However, the former was associated with a superior long-term clinical effect and may restore the integrity of the meniscus and is particularly recommended for young patients.

Keywords

anterior cruciate ligament rupture - complete radial tear - lateral meniscus

Authors' Contribution

All authors have read and concur with the content of the manuscript. All authors have substantially contributed to and were involved in the study and manuscript preparation. M.Z., D.C., R.W., Y.L., B.X., and J.L. collected the clinical data and instructed patients in rehabilitation training. D.C. conducted the literature research and was the primary surgeon. M.Z. significantly contributed to the completion of the manuscript. All authors have read and approve the final manuscript.


Availability of Data and Materials

The datasets used and analyzed in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.


Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

This study was conducted in compliance with the requirements of the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (No. 202185). All patients signed the informed consent form.


Consent for Publication

Not applicable.




Publication History

Received: 21 December 2022

Accepted: 24 August 2023

Article published online:
18 September 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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