Performing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery in the immediate period after
injury is controversial. However, there may be instances where the opportunity cost
of delayed surgery for the patient may be unacceptable. Concomitant meniscus injuries
may also prevent the patient from regaining range of motion in the preoperative period.
Every week that surgery is delayed may increase pain and impair mobility for this
group of patients. We investigate the functional and clinical outcomes in patients
with ACL surgery in the immediate 3-week period following ACL injury. A cohort study
was performed to compare the outcome of early ACL (less than 3 weeks after injury)
and late ACL surgery (more than 3 weeks after surgery). A total of 58 patients were
followed up at fixed time points over a 2-year period. Clinical measurements (range
of motion and knee laxity scores) and functional outcome scores (International Knee
Documentation Committee, Lysholm's Knee and Tegner's scores) were used to document
outcomes over time. The mean time to surgery from the time of injury in the early
ACL surgery group was 2 weeks (standard deviation [SD] = 0.45) and the 20 weeks (SD = 9.64)
in the late ACL surgery group. The absence or presence of meniscal injuries had no
significant effect on the improvement over time for both groups of patients (p > 0.05). Patients in the early ACL group had faster rates of improvement for clinical
measurements and functional outcome scores but had started out initially with poorer
outcomes at baseline. However, both groups had comparable outcomes (p > 0.05) at the 1- and 2-year mark postsurgery. Patients in both groups had no adverse
outcomes. ACL Surgery within 3 weeks of injury (2 weeks SD = 0.45) is safe and has
comparable outcomes compared to patients with delayed surgery (20 weeks SD = 9.64).
Keywords
anterior cruciate ligament surgery - sports surgery - knee surgery
