[Reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in patients over 40 years of age].
BACKGROUND
The treatment of an ACL lesion in patients who are above 40 years of age remains controversial. The aim of this study is to report the subjective impression of the result after ACL reconstruction in 24 such patients.


METHODS
The records of 24 patients, who were aged 40 or older when they had ACL reconstruction were reviewed. The average age was 43 years (40-49), 10 women and 14 men. The mean interval between injury and operation was 35 months (6-185). All 24 patients completed a self-administered questionnaire to evaluate A) preoperative status, B) the rehabilitation period, and C) postoperative status and their overall view of the treatment. Status was made 16 months postoperatively (5-41).


RESULTS
Preoperatively, 23 out of 24 patients had instability problems in daily living (ADL) and at work. One had not experienced the knee giving way. All the patients had experienced pain. Postoperatively, 21 out of the 24 experienced no instability and 14 are free of pain. Eighteen have increased activity, five have no change in activity, and one has decreased activity. Sixteen are satisfied with the level of postoperative activity. Twenty-two find their knee status better postoperatively than preoperatively. One finds it unchanged, and one finds it worse. Overall 15 patients find result very satisfying, seven find it satisfying, and two find it poor. Twenty-two would advise others in a similar situation to have the operation done, whereas one is in doubt and one would not recommend the operation.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the results of ACL reconstruction in patients above the age of 40 are as good as those in younger patients.
Damborg
Frank
F
Ortopaedkirurgisk afdeling, Sygehus Fyn, Center Vest, Middelfart.
Nissen
Nis
N
Kuur
Ejnar
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires