Impact of surgical timing on the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study is the comparison of acute ACL reconstruction with or without meniscus repair within 48 h after injury and a delayed surgery during the inflammation-free interval. It was hypothesized that acute ACL reconstruction results in inferior patient reported outcomes and higher frequency of range of motion deficits.
Methods: The effect of acute (within 48 h) and delayed (during the inflammation-free interval) ACL surgery was prospectively studied on 160 consecutive patients with ACL injury between January 2010 and December 2011. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate patients with an additional meniscus repair separately from isolated ACL surgeries. During the study period, partial meniscectomies were recorded to evaluate time dependent meniscus reparability. Patient reported outcomes, objective IKDC and manual stability measurements were documented during the 24-month follow-up period. The Pearson Chi-squared test was used to evaluate objective outcome measures. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed to analyse the results of patient reported outcomes. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results: For patients who underwent isolated ACL reconstruction, no statistical significant difference was observed at any time point regarding objective and subjective outcome measures. Significantly fewer patients who underwent acute combined ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair had an extension deficit between 3° and 5° at 12 months following surgery (3.7 vs. 22.2 %, p < 0.05). No difference regarding cyclops removal, re-injury of ACL or meniscus was found between the two surgical timing groups. Further, surgical timing did not influence the reparability of the meniscus.
Conclusion: An acute ACL reconstruction within 48 h is preferable in highly active patients or competitive athletes.
Level of Evidence: Prospective cohort study, Level II.