Ligamental reconstruction improved the functional outcomes of patients with anterior cruciate ligament injury and early-stage symptomless osteoarthritis.

Background: The optimal treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries with early-stage symptomless osteoarthritis (OA) remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in patients with ACL injury in the presence and absence of early-stage symptomless OA.

Methods: Medical records of patients with early-stage symptomless OA who sustained ACL injury and underwent ACLR from January 2018 to December 2020 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed preoperatively to identify ACL injury and OA. Patients with ACL injury and early-stage symptomless OA (combined group, n = 14) were matched at a 1:2 ratio with patients with ACL injury (isolated group, n = 32). Data on demographic characteristics, pain and functional outcomes (visual analogue scale, Tegner, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee scores and range of motion), and imaging outcomes were collected. Complications were recorded, and outcomes were compared between the groups.

Results: Forty-six patients (26 males, 20 females) were included in this study, among whom 14 had ACL injury and early-stage symptomless OA, whereas 32 sustained isolated ACL injury (average follow-up duration: 3.4 ± 1.0 years). At the final follow-up, pain and functional outcomes similar to those in patients with isolated ACL-deficient knees were achieved in the combined group; acute-stage ACLR resulted in significantly better outcomes (p < 0.05). No significant radiographic progression of OA or complications were observed.

Conclusions: Knee function in patients with ACL injuries and early-stage symptomless OA who underwent ACLR was the same as that in patients with isolated ACL-deficient knees. Furthermore, ACLR had a beneficial effect on knee outcomes. The subgroup analysis revealed that acute-stage ACLR could lead to better outcomes in patients with ACL injuries and early-stage symptomless OA.