Prior Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Effects on Future Total Knee Arthroplasty

The impact of prior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has rarely been studied. The objective of this study was to compare intraoperative characteristics in patients who underwent TKA with pre-existing hardware from prior ACL reconstruction with a matched cohort control group.

A retrospective study of patients who had undergone primary TKA with pre-existing hardware from prior ACL reconstruction was performed from June 2012 through June 2017. These patients were 2-to-1 matched to the ACL group based on similar patient demographic and provider variables. Outcomes investigated included operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), and postoperative complications.

One hundred one patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The mean age was 54 ± 9 years, and the mean body mass index was 32.6 ± 6.5 kg/m². The ACL group was divided into 4 subgroups: group 1, no pre-existing hardware removed (22 TKAs); group 2, pre-existing hardware removed from the femur only (8 TKAs); group 3, pre-existing hardware removed from the tibia only (45 TKAs); and group 4, pre-existing hardware removed from both the femur and tibia (26 TKAs). There was no statistical difference in EBL and postoperative complication between the ACL group and controls. Statistical differences were detected between 2 subgroups regarding mean operative time variables: ACL group 3 (74 ± 23 minutes; control: 64 ± 21 minutes, P = .020) and group 4 (79 ± 24 minutes; control: 65 ± 19 minutes, P = .010).

Hardware retained, especially on the tibia, from prior ACL reconstruction has a major impact on TKA surgical procedure operative time but not on EBL and/or complications.