Location and Progression of Chondral Injuries at the Time of Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery Varies by Sex

Abstract

Purpose

To quantify progression of chondral and meniscal injuries between primary and revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery.

Methods

Patients who underwent both index and revision ACL reconstruction between 2000 and 2020 at our institution were identified, and dates of injury and surgery, demographics, and clinical data were obtained from operative reports. Outerbridge grade was recorded in each compartment, along with presence and location of meniscal injury. The frequency of each injury between first and second cases was calculated. Differences in injury and progression were compared over time as well as between patient sex and age.

Results

The study included 189 patients (96 female, 93 male). Age at first surgery was 31.7 ± 13.2 years. Mean time to second injury was 3.3 ± 3.0 years. In total, 116 patients had a new or previous chondral injury (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1). The medial femoral condyle (31%) and the patella (21%) accounted for the highest proportion of new injury to articular surfaces, whereas new injury to menisci was comparable between the medial (25%) and lateral (23%) meniscus. At the time of revision ACL reconstruction, females had a high prevalence of chondral injuries to the lateral compartment, whereas males had a high prevalence of chondral injury to the medial femoral condyle. The prevalence of new chondral injuries was comparable between sexes, with males having a slightly higher proportion. While time between surgeries, sex, and age had graphical evidence of moderating risk, the effects were small and imprecise.

Conclusions

Revision ACL reconstruction carried a 1.6 increase in the odds for new or progressive chondral lesions in our cohort. At the time of revision, females had a relatively higher proportion of lateral-sided chondral injuries, whereas males had a relatively higher proportion of medial femoral condyle injuries. The greatest increase in the prevalence of new and progressive lesions was observed in the medial femoral condyle and trochlea. This progression appeared to be moderated by time between surgeries, patient sex, and age; however, the differences were small and imprecise.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.