Acute and subacute anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions are associated with a higher risk of revision and reoperation

Purpose (1) Report concomitant cartilage and meniscal injury at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), (2) evaluate the risk of aseptic revision ACLR during follow-up, and (3) evaluate the risk of aseptic ipsilateral reoperation during follow-up. Methods Using a United States integrated healthcare system’s ACLR registry, patients who underwent primary isolated ACLR were identified (2010–2018). Multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to evaluate the risk of aseptic revision, with a secondary outcome evaluating ipsilateral aseptic reoperation. Outcomes were evaluated by time from injury to ACLR: acute (< 3 weeks), subacute (3 weeks–3 months), delayed (3–9 months), and chronic (≥ 9 months). Results The final sample included 270 acute (< 3 weeks), 5971 subacute (3 weeks–3 months), 5959 delayed (3–9 months), and 3595 chronic (≥ 9 months) ACLR. Medial meniscus [55.4% (1990/3595 chronic) vs 38.9% (105/270 acute)] and chondral injuries [40.0% (1437/3595 chronic) vs 24.8% (67/270 acute)] at the time of ACLR were more common in the chronic versus acute groups. The crude 6-year revision rate was 12.9% for acute ACLR, 7.0% for subacute, 5.1% for delayed, and 4.4% for chronic ACLR; reoperation rates a 6-year follow-up was 15.0% for acute ACLR, 9.6% for subacute, 6.4% for delayed, and 8.1% for chronic ACLR. After adjustment for covariates, acute and subacute ACLR had higher risks for aseptic revision (acute HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.07–2.72, p = 0.026; subacute HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01–1.55, p = 0.040) and aseptic reoperation (acute HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.43–2.91, p < 0.001; subacute HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.11–1.54, p = 0.002) when compared to chronic ACLR. Conclusions In this cohort study, while more meniscal and chondral injuries were reported for ACLR performed ≥ 9 months after the date of injury, a lower risk of revision and reoperation was observed following chronic ACLR relative to patients undergoing surgery in acute or subacute fashions. Level of evidence III.