The long-term consequence of anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries: osteoarthritis

Lohmander LS, Englund PM, Dahl LL, Roos EM · The American Journal of Sports Medicine

On average ~50% of patients with an ACL or meniscus tear have knee OA 10–20 years later, typically in their 30s–40s; reconstruction has not been shown to prevent it.

Population

Young, often athletic patients after ACL or meniscus injury

Intervention

Knee joint injury (with common continued sports exposure)

Comparator

Uninjured knees

Limitations

Narrative review of observational data; cannot apportion risk between the index injury, surgery, and subsequent loading decisions.