Concomitant meniscal and cartilage injuries in tanner 1–2 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear: a multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears among pediatric patients has risen. Meniscal and cartilage damage are commonly associated with ACL injuries. Recognizing concurrent injuries during ACL surgery is essential to ensure an appropriate treatment. However, there is a lack of focus on children in Tanner stages 1 and 2. HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to describe associated lesions in Tanner 1-2 patients undergoing ACL surgical treatment and identify demographics, injury and surgical factors associated with their presence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicentric retrospective study involved 92 patients with Tanner 1-2 treated surgically for ACL injuries from 2002 to 2019. Data included demographic information, injury and surgerical details. RESULTS: Older age was associated with a significantly increased risk of concomitant lesions (p = 0.005). Meniscal tears were observed in 48.9% of patients. Lateral meniscal tears and posterior horn involvement were the most common pattern, neither ACL tear location or mechanism of injury influenced the occurrence of meniscal tears. Concomitant cartilage injuries were detected in 10.9% of patients. DISCUSSION: Tanner 1-2 patients with ACL tears have a high rate of associated lesions, particularly as age increases. These findings can help the surgical decision making and support the importance of a careful pre and intra-operative evaluation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; retrospective study.