ACL Injuries and Meniscal Lesion: Hand in Hand?

Objective: To assess the incidence, nature and pattern of meniscal tear in ACL injury. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted among the patients who were admitted and treated for ACL tear in Saveetha Medical And College And Hospital over a 2-year period from August 2019-August 2021. There were 52 patients admitted and treated for the same. The case records of each of the patients were reviewed to find the incidence of meniscal lesion in ACL tear and were then analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.

Results: 52 patients with ACL tear were reviewed in this study. ACL tear was most commonly reported in younger age group of 20-29 (46.15%). Out of which, 19(36.54%) patients had meniscal tears. About 9(47.37%) patients had lateral meniscus tear, 6(31.58%) had medial meniscus tear and 4(21.05%) had bilateral meniscal tear. It was seen that bucket handle injury (n=12) was the most common meniscus tear overall. Radial tear was most specifically common in bilateral meniscus injury (N=4).

Conclusion: Meniscal tears are the most common intra articular lesions associated with ACL tear. It was most commonly reported in the age group of 20-29. We found that the incidence of lateral meniscal tear was significantly higher in the patients rather than medial meniscal tear. Bucket handle injury was the most commonly reported tear in meniscal injury. Therefore, the surgeon needs to equip himself with the necessary meniscal repair instruments in his armamentarium