Knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury: a systematic review

Øiestad BE, Engebretsen L, Storheim K, Risberg MA · The American Journal of Sports Medicine

At 10+ years, radiographic knee OA prevalence was 0–13% after isolated ACL injury but 21–48% with combined ACL+meniscal injury — joint injury, especially with meniscal damage, multiplies OA risk.

Population

31 studies (7 prospective, 24 retrospective) of knees ≥10 years after ACL injury

Intervention

ACL injury with or without meniscal injury

Comparator

Isolated ACL injury vs combined injury

Limitations

Mostly retrospective studies with heterogeneous OA definitions; cannot isolate the contribution of returning to sport vs the injury itself.