Good clinical outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients over 60 years of age.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in patients over 60 years and to investigate the potential impact of preoperative osteoarthritis (OA) on these outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study included ACL-injured patients over 60 years who underwent primary arthroscopic ACLR between 2010 and 2020. The Lysholm score and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up. The Tegner activity scale was performed to evaluate patients' activity levels. Data on return to sports, patient satisfaction, subsequent injuries and complications were collected. Preoperative radiographs were used to grade OA according to the Kellgrene-Lawrence classification. Correlation analysis between OA and clinical outcomes was performed. The rates of achieving the minimal clinically significant difference and patient-acceptable symptoms state were documented. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were included in this study. The mean age at surgery was 62.3 ± 2.3 years, with a mean follow-up of 6.3 ± 3.2 years (range 2.1-12.4). Patients showed statistically significant (all p < 0.001) improvements in the mean IKDC (38.9 ± 9.4-66.8 ± 12.5), Lysholm (48.8 ± 15.4-83.0 ± 12.8) and Tegner (1-3) scores. Fourteen patients (37.8%) returned to sports. No correlation was observed between the degree of preoperative OA and clinical outcomes (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Patients over 60 years with symptomatic ACL-deficient knees could benefit from ACLR, even when mild to moderate OA is present preoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.