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Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the time from injury to ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and the rate as well as repairability of meniscal tears. Secondary aims were to evaluate the relationship between meniscal injury and Tegner Activity Scale, age, BMI, and gender. Methods Between 2012 and 2022, 1,840 consecutive ACLRs were performed. A total of 1,317 ACLRs were included with a mean patient age of 31.2 years ± 10.5 . Meniscal tear was assessed during arthroscopy using the ISAKOS classiication. Time from injury to ACLR, Tegner Activity Scale, age, BMI and gender were analysed in uni-and then in multivariate analyses. Patients were divided into four groups according to the time from injury to surgery: < 3 months (427; 32%), 3-6 months (388; 29%), 6-12 months (248; 19%) and > 12 months (254; 19%). Results Delaying ACLR > 12 months signiicantly increased the rate of medial meniscal (MM) injury (OR 1.14; p < 0.001). No correlation was found between a 3-or 6-month time from injury to surgery and MM tear. Performing ACLR > 3, 6, or 12 months after injury did not signiicantly increase the rate of lateral meniscal (LM) injury. Increasing Tegner activity scale was signiicantly associated with a lower rate of MM injury (OR 0.90; p = 0.020). An age > 30 years (OR 1.07; p = 0.025) and male gender (OR 1.13; p < 0.0001) was also associated with an increased rate of MM injury. Age > 30 years decreased the rate of MM repair (OR 0.85; p < 0.001). Male gender increased the rate of LM tear (OR 1.10; p = 0.001). Conclusion Performing ACLR more than 12 months after injury was associated with increased rates of MM injury but not with lower rates of repairable lesions. An increased pre-injury Tegner activity score was associated with a decreased rate of MM tear. Age > 30 years was associated with an increased rate of MM tear with concomitant ACL injury and a decreased rate of repairability of MM tear. ACLR should be performed within 12 months from injury to prevent from the risk of MM injury. Level of Evidence Level III.

Introduction: The Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy (TTO) technique, by lifting the distal bony attachment of the extensor mechanism, allows efficient knee exposure while preserving soft tissues and tendinous attachments. The surgical technique seems essential to obtain satisfying outcomes with a low rate of specific complications. Several tip sand tricks can be used to improve this procedure during the revision of total knee arthroplasty (RTKA). Technique: The osteotomy should be at least: 60 mm in length and 20 mm in width to allow fixation with 2 screws; and 10–15 mm thick to resist to screw compression. The proximal cut of the osteotomy must keep a proximal buttress spur of 10 mm to get primary stability and avoid the tubercle ascension. A smooth end of the TTO distally reduces the risk of a tibial shaft fracture. The strongest fixation is obtained using two bicortical 4.5 mm screws slightly ascendant. Results: From January 2010 to September 2020, 135 patients received an RTKA with concomitant TTO and a mean follow-up of 51 ± 26 months [24–121]. The osteotomy was healed in 95% of patients (n = 128) with a mean delay of 3.4 ± 2.7 months [1.5–24]. However, there are some specific and significant complications related to the TTO. Twenty complications (15%) related to the TTO were recorded, with 8 (6%) requiring surgery. Conclusion: Tibial tubercle osteotomy in RTKA is an efficient procedure to improve knee exposure. To avoid tibial tubercle fracture or non-union, a rigorous surgical technique is primordial with a sufficient length and thickness of the tibial tubercle, a smooth end, a proximal step, a final good bone contact, and a strong fixation.

Background: Adequate exposure is essential in revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA). Tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) enhances exposure, but its use is controversial in the setting of periprosthetic infection. The purposes of this study were to determine (1) the rates of complications and revisions due to TTO during RTKA in the setting of a periprosthetic infection, (2) the rate of septic failure, and (3) functional outcomes at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Methods: A single-center retrospective study from 2010 to 2020 was performed. The cases of a total of 68 patients who received a TTO during RTKA in the setting of periprosthetic infection with a minimum follow-up of 2 years (mean, 53.3 months; range, 24 to 117 months) were analyzed. Complications and revisions due to TTO were reported. The functional outcomes were assessed using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and range of motion. Results: Seven knees (10.3%) had complications secondary to the TTO (3 had fracture-displacement of the TTO; 2, nonunion; 1, delayed union; and 1, wound dehiscence). The mean time to union (and standard deviation) was 3.8 ± 3.2 months (range, 1.5 to 24 months). Two knees (2.9%) underwent a TTO-related revision (1 had wound debridement, and 1 had tibial tubercle osteosynthesis). Eighteen knees (26.5%) had recurrence of infection requiring revision: 17 were managed with debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR), and 1 had 2-stage RTKA. Flexion improved after surgery (from a mean of 70° to a mean of 86°; p = 0.009), as did the KSS knee (46.6 to 79; p < 0.001) and function (35.3 to 71.5; p < 0.001) subscores. Overall, 42.6% of infected knees managed with RTKA with the TTO procedure were considered successful without any complication at the last follow-up. Only 2 knees (2.9%) required revision related to the TTO. Conclusions: TTO in RTKA involving periprosthetic infection is an effective surgical exposure aid and has excellent rates of union (97.1%) despite the presence of infection. However, the risk of failure because of persistent or recurrent infection remains high in the first 2 years following RTKA for infection. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.