To investigate and analyse outcomes of patients over the age of 40 who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to compare them to their younger counterparts. We analysed patient-reported outcomes measured using the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) as well as aetiology of injury, concomitant intra-articular injuries and time from injury to surgery.
Data were extracted from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Register during the period of 2005 through 2012. The following data were extracted and analysed: patient age, gender, activity at the time of injury, time between injury and reconstruction, concomitant intra-articular injuries, graft size used for reconstruction and KOOS measured pre-operatively as well as 1, 2 and 5 years post-operatively. The cohort was stratified into age groups of 0-19, 20-29, 30-39 and = 40 years of age.
Pivoting sports were dominating as the cause of ACL injury in the younger age groups (up to 39 years). Alpine skiing and other non-specified activities were the most common causes in the older age group (= 40 years). Pre-operative KOOS was significantly lower in older age groups (p