Sex-Specific Predictors of Intra-articular Injuries Observed During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Melissa A Kluczynski; John M Marzo; Michael A Rauh; Geoffrey A Bernas; Leslie J Bisson

doi:10.1177/2325967115571300

Sex-Specific Predictors of Intra-articular Injuries Observed During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Orthop J Sports Med. 2015 Feb 24;3(2):2325967115571300. doi: 10.1177/2325967115571300. eCollection 2015 Feb.

Authors

Melissa A Kluczynski¹, John M Marzo¹, Michael A Rauh¹, Geoffrey A Bernas¹, Leslie J Bisson¹

Affiliation

¹ University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.

Abstract

Background: Male patients tend to have more meniscal and chondral injuries at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction than females. No studies have examined sex-specific predictors of meniscal and chondral lesions in ACL-injured patients.

Purpose: To identify sex-specific predictors of meniscal and chondral lesions, as well as meniscal tear management, in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.

Study design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from 689 patients (56.2% males) undergoing ACL reconstruction between 2005 and 2014. Predictors of meniscal tears, meniscal tear management, and chondral injuries were determined using multivariate logistic regression models stratified by sex. Predictors were age, body mass index (BMI; 25-29.99 and ≥30 vs ≤24.99 kg/m(2)), mechanism (contact vs noncontact) and type (high-impact sports [basketball, football, soccer, and skiing] and other sports vs not sports-related) of injury, interval from injury to surgery (≤6 vs >6 weeks), and instability episodes (vs none). Odds ratios and 95% CIs were reported.

Results: Males had more lateral (46% vs 27.8%; P < .0001) and medial (40.2% vs 31.5%; P = .01) meniscal tears, as well as more lateral (72.1% vs 27.9%; P < .0001) and medial (61.4% vs 38.6%; P = .01) meniscectomies than females. For males, age predicted chondral injuries and medial meniscectomy; BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) predicted medial meniscal tears; high-impact and other sports predicted medial meniscal tears, medial meniscectomies, and medial meniscal repairs; injuries ≤6 weeks from surgery predicted lateral meniscal repairs; and instability episodes predicted medial meniscal tears, medial tears left in situ, medial meniscectomies, and medial meniscal repairs. For females, age predicted chondral injuries, BMI ≥30 kg/m(2) predicted lateral meniscectomies and repairs, and instability episodes predicted medial meniscectomies.

Conclusion: Sex differences were observed. For males, predictors included age, BMI, sports-related injuries, injuries ≤6 weeks from surgery, and instability episodes. For females, predictors included age, BMI, and instability episodes.

Keywords: ACL; chondral; knee; ligament; meniscus; sex.