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. 2023 Aug 12;15(8):e43396.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.43396. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Influence of Meniscal Repair vs. Meniscectomy on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Terms of Knee Stability and Radiological Imaging

Varun Agarwal  1 , Amit Kale  1 , Ashwinkumar Khandge  1
Affiliations

Influence of Meniscal Repair vs. Meniscectomy on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Terms of Knee Stability and Radiological Imaging

Varun Agarwal et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The menisci are essential components in the pathophysiology of knee osteoarthritis. Patients with meniscal lesions and an intact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) undergoing meniscectomy exhibit a significantly increased prevalence of radiographic osteoarthritis. ACL reconstruction surgery enhances knee stability and mitigates the advancement of minor meniscal tears. The purpose of this study was to show the influence of meniscal repair as compared to meniscectomy on anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in terms of knee stability and radiological imaging. This was a retrospective study performed in Dr. D.Y. Patil Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, on a sample size of 30 patients between December 2021 and January 2023. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically post-operatively at six months and one year. ACL reconstruction with meniscectomy was performed on 16 patients (group 2), while ACL reconstruction with meniscus repair was performed on 14 patients (group 1). At the end of six months in group 1, one patient out of 14 had a grade 2 Lachman test positive, while seven patients out of 16 had a grade 2 Lachman test positive in group 2. It was a statistically insignificant value (p>0.05). Further, at the end of 12 months, X-ray evaluation of the femoral tunnel shows an average increment of 0.5 mm in Group 1, while an average femoral tunnel widening of 3 mm was observed in Group 2. It was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The study concluded that meniscus repair significantly increases anteromedial knee stability. It has been shown that meniscectomy, when done along with ACL reconstruction, increases the chances of femoral tunnel widening, resulting in less graft bone integration.

Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; knee; meniscal repair; meniscectomy; osteoarthritis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Gender distribution
Figure 2
Figure 2. Lachman test in different groups
Figure 3
Figure 3. Mean femoral diameter
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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