Abstract
Objectives:
Single-stage meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a technically challenging procedure for management of knee pain and instability in younger patients. However, there is limited data on specific outcomes of this procedure, such as return to work and functional status relative to the U.S. population at large. The purpose of this study was to assess surgical and patient-reported outcomes following concomitant ACLR and MAT.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent concomitant ACLR and MAT at our institution from 2010 to 2021. We included patients who underwent either concomitant primary or revision ACLR and medial or lateral MAT with a minimum follow-up of 8 months. Complications, graft failures, and reoperations were abstracted from patient records and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain, satisfaction, Lysholm Knee Scale, return to sport, and return to work outcomes were assessed using an email survey. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference, Pain Intensity, and Physical Function Scores were used to measure patients’ functional status relative to the U.S. population. All p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results:
The cohort consisted of 18 knees of 17 individual patients (16 unilateral, 1 bilateral). The cohort were majority male (15 patients; 83%) with mean age of 31.6 years (range 19-49) and mean BMI of 27.6 (range 22.2-53.3). Mean follow-up time was 47.3 months (range 8-101). A majority underwent revision ACLR (12 patients; 67%) with medial MAT (18 patients; 92%). Reoperation rate was high (5 patients; 28%) but only one patient experienced recurrence of painrequiring TKA. Patient-reported outcomes (n = 14) were generally positive with low VAS pain (mean 2.2), high satisfaction (mean 77.9%), and fair Lysholm score (mean 81.1) though satisfaction was lower among revision ACLR patients versus primary ACLR patients (mean 67% vs 100%; p = 0.04). Return to work rate was high (13 patients; 93%) while return to sport rate was low (6 patients; 43%). Postoperative PROMIS scores were comparable or superior to the national average and correlated significantly with patient satisfaction (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The concomitant ACLR and MAT procedure is associated with excellent knee pain and functional outcomes, low rates of complications and meniscus graft failure, and high rate of return to work after surgery. However, rate of return to sport is low and satisfaction is worse among revision ACLR patients. Overall, the single-stage ACLR and MAT procedure appears to be a safe and efficacious treatment option for patients with concomitant ACL and meniscus deficiency.