ABSTRACT
Introduction: Descriptions of meniscus and articularcartilage lesions associated with anterior cruciate ligamentinjury have been reported by many authors. There are twoschools of thought regarding reconstruction either Earlyreconstruction and structured rehabilitation or Structuredrehabilitation with delayed reconstruction The aim of thisstudy was to identify the impact on the meniscus in earlyand delayed presentation of anterior cruciate ligament tearsand to emphasize the importance of early reconstruction ofanterior cruciate ligament to prevent further meniscal damageand articular cartilage lesions and subsequentially preventingOsteoarthritis.Materials and methods: The retrospective study wasconducted at Lourdes Hospital, Ernakulam, Kerala.Patients who presented with anterior cruciate ligament tearswere grouped into three based on their time of injury toreconstruction and the associated meniscal tears were noted.GROUP I included patients who had ACL Reconstructionwithin 2 months of injury, GROUP II within 2-6 months ofinjury and GROUP III within 6-12 Months of injury. Patientswere further divided within the groups according to their ageand grouped with a difference of ten years starting at less than25 years of age to greater than 45 years of age. Location andincidence of tear was compared between the three groupsResults: Incidence of Meniscal injury increases over timein patients as they passed through the acute, sub-acute andchronic phases of ACL deficiency. Immediately followingACL Injury Lateral meniscal injuries were more commonand was found in the acute phase (Group I). Lateral meniscustears decreased as patients passed through the acute phaseinto the sub-acute phase (Group II), whereas medial meniscaltears began to increase and predominated in the chronic phase(Group III).Conclusion: This study was able to demonstrate that theIncidence of Meniscal injury increased over time in ACLdeficient knees. Lateral meniscal injuries were more commonin acute ACL Tears. Medial meniscal injuries increased dueto instability of the knee. Hence an early Acl reconstructionpreferably within two months of injury is a good option forpatients as it prevents further meniscal damage and decreasesIncidence of Osteoarthritis.