Summary of a review of the effects of surgery after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture on knee osteoarthritis, meniscal injury, and other complications with at least 10 years follow-up.
Who
371 persons (164 surgically managed, 207 non-surgically managed) (Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands).
Surgery: minimally invasive (arthroscopy, miniarthrotomy).
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 5 studies (2 prospective, 3 retrospective studies; one study with high-level athletes).
Follow-up between 10 and 20 years.
Outcome measures/tests
- severity of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren and Lawrence system, IKDC grading, OARSI atlas)
- secondary meniscotomy, ACL revision
- knee laxity (KT-1000 arthrometer)
Main results
- The risk of radiographic osteoarthritis was higher in the surgical groups (RR 1.42 95%CI: 1.09, 1.85) than non-surgical groups.
- Secondary meniscectomy was lower in surgical treatment groups (RR 0.34 95%CI: 0.20, 0.58). But graft rupture or secondary ACL revision were independent of treatment (RR 0.90 95%CI: 0.49, 1.66).
- Knee laxity was significantly lower in surgical groups in 4 out of 5 studies.
Take home message
Original article
Lien-Iversen T, Morgan DB, Jensen C, Risberg MA, Engebretsen L, Viberg B. Does surgery reduce knee osteoarthritis, meniscal injury and subsequent complications compared with non-surgery after ACL rupture with at least 10 years follow-up? A systematic review and meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine. 2020 May 1;54(10):592-8.