Comparing Postoperative Outcomes of Isolated Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and the "Terrible Triad" Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Medial Meniscus Ramp and Lateral Meniscus Root Repairs

Background: A new "terrible triad" has been reported to be an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear with a concomitant medial meniscus ramp tear and lateral meniscus root tear. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for isolated ACL reconstruction (ACLR) versus an ACLR with concomitant medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs are not well known.

Purpose: To compare postoperative outcomes between isolated ACLR and ACLR with concomitant medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs.

Study design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: An initial cohort of 1228 patients with ACLRs were retrospectively identified between April 2016 and November 2021. A total of 41 patients with isolated ACLR (isolated cohort) were age and sex matched to 41 patients who had an ACLR with concomitant medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs (triad cohort). Patients in the triad cohort were identified consecutively by date of surgery. Preoperative and ≥2-year postoperative PROs were evaluated to compare the isolated cohort with the triad cohort. Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired t tests and chi-square tests.

Results: Both the isolated cohort and triad cohort demonstrated significant differences between preoperative and postoperative PROs in all questionnaire categories assessed. Postoperative scores for the International Knee Documentation Committee (isolated, 88.8; triad, 86.2; P = .392), Cincinnati (isolated, 91.1; triad, 88.1; P = .295), and Lysholm (isolated, 92.1; triad, 90.1; P = .472) PROs demonstrated no significant differences between the cohorts. No significant difference was found between the isolated and triad cohorts for all preoperative questionnaire categories. Additionally, no significant difference was found in revision or reoperation rates between isolated and triad patients (P = .733).

Conclusion: No significant differences in PROs were found at minimum follow-up of 2 years postoperatively between the patients who underwent isolated ACLR (isolated cohort) and those who underwent ACLR with concomitant medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs (triad cohort). Inferior outcomes were not observed in the triad cohort when revision rates, reoperation rates, and postoperative PROs were compared. Given the optimistic short-term outcomes for isolated versus triad ACLR patients and the known biomechanical consequences of these untreated meniscal injuries, medial meniscus ramp and lateral meniscus root repairs should be performed when encountered concurrently with an ACL tear when possible.