title: Changes in arthroscopic findings in the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee prior to reconstructive surgery.
abstract: We retrospectively compared the arthroscopic findings of 75 patients at the time of diagnosis of ACL rupture and the findings at the time of ACL reconstruction. We found that in the ACL deficient knee the deterioration in meniscal tears and osteochondral lesions was statistically greater with increased interval between diagnosis of ACL rupture and reconstruction. This study implies that in those patients where ACL reconstruction is indicated, a delay in reconstructive surgery can have a deleterious effect on the articular surface of the knee.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK. afoster@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D013997:Time Factors