Medial Meniscectomy at the Time of ACL Reconstruction Is Associated With Postoperative Anterior Tibial Translation: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Medial meniscal pathology and management have not been associated with postoperative anterior tibial translation (ATT) after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of medial meniscal injury and treatment on pre- and postoperative ATT in the setting of primary ACLR. More specifically, the association between repairable medial meniscal tears, medial meniscectomy, and postoperative ATT, along with rates of revision surgery, was examined. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent ACLR between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2015 at a single center. Descriptive data were obtained from an institutional database for a total of 396 patients included in this study and followed for 1 year postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed to examine associations of meniscal treatment with postoperative ATT measurements made by KT-1000 arthrometer. Results: A total of 243 patients underwent isolated ACLR with autograft, 72 patients underwent autograft ACLR and partial medial meniscectomy (MMx) (ACLR + MMx), and 81 patients underwent autograft ACLR and medial meniscal repair (MMR) (ACLR + MMR). Patients with ACLR + MMx had higher mean age and body mass index compared with patients in the other groups. Patients who underwent ACLR + MMx had greater postoperative side-to-side ATT compared with patients undergoing ACLR (1.55 mm vs 1.07 mm; P = .04) or patients undergoing ACLR + MMR (1.55 mm vs 1.01 mm; P = .03). The ACLR + MMx group was less likely to have symmetric (<3-mm side-to-side difference) postoperative ATT compared with the ACLR group (85% vs 93%; P = .03). There was no difference in postoperative ATT between ACLR and ACLR + MMR. Postoperative return to the operating room was greater in the ACLR + MRR group compared with the ACLR + MMx group (21.9% vs 8.2%; P = .05). Conclusion: MMx at the time of ACLR led to higher postoperative ATT compared with isolated ACLR or ACLR + MMR.