Meniscus Tears Associated with ACL Injuries: The Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Experience

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequently associated with meniscus tears. This further impairs knee biomechanics and worsens the knee instability of patients, and thus, has implications on the outcomes of treatment of ACL injuries. The Multicenter Orthopedics Outcome Network (MOON) is a prospective observational cohort reported on the outcomes of ACL reconstruction and associated injuries such as meniscus tears and also is the first prospective cohort reporting on the success of meniscus treatment at the time of ACL reconstruction. MOON reported that successful repair of the medial meniscus at the time of ACL reconstruction would yield improved pain scores at 10-years, small incomplete tears, particularly on the lateral meniscus, could be left alone and any meniscus procedure prior to the index ACL reconstruction would result with poorer outcomes. This article aims to summarize the epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of treatment of associated meniscus tears reported at different follow-up periods by MOON.