Loading...
In a recent study, European investigators found no differences in patient-reported 2-year outcomes between early reconstruction and optional later reconstruction among young active patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears (JW Gen Med Aug 3 2010). Now, the same investigators report outcomes at 5 years.
Overall, 121 patients (mean age, 26) with acute ACL tears in previously uninjured knees participated in the trial. All patients received structured rehabilitation and were randomized to early reconstruction or optional later reconstruction. Thirty of the 59 patients (51%) in the latter group underwent delayed reconstruction (7 of these after year 2). At 5 years, no differences were noted between the groups in the results of kn…