Concomitant meniscal and cartilage injuries in tanner 1–2 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear: a multicenter retrospective study - 06/02/26

Doi : 10.1016/j.otsr.2026.104637

Marco Crippa ^a,^b,^c, Judith Waldner ^a,^b, Marco Turati ^a,^b,⁎ , Elena Tassistro ^d,^e, Giovanni Zatti ^a,^b, Frank Accadbled ^f, Aaron J. Krych ^g, Marco Bigoni ^b,^c,^h, Luca Rigamonti ^c,^h

^a Orthopedic Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy

^b School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

^c Transalpine Center of Pediatric Sports Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy, Hospital Couple Enfant, Grenoble, France

^d Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy

^e Bicocca Center of Bioinformatics, Biostatistics and Bioimaging (B4 Centre), School of Medicine and Surgery, Università Degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

^f Department of Orthopedics, Children's Hospital, Toulouse University Hospital, France

^g Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America

^h Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Policlinico San Pietro, Ponte San Pietro, Italy

^⁎ Corresponding author at: Marco Turati address: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Pergolesi 33, Monza, 20900, Italy. Marco Turati address: School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca Via Pergolesi 33 Monza 20900 Italy

Sous presse. Épreuves corrigées par l'auteur. Disponible en ligne depuis le Friday 06 February 2026

Abstract

Background

The incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears among pediatric patients has risen. Meniscal and cartilage damage are commonly associated with ACL injuries. Recognizing concurrent injuries during ACL surgery is essential to ensure an appropriate treatment. However, there is a lack of focus on children in Tanner stages 1 and 2.

Hypothesis

This study aims to describe associated lesions in Tanner 1–2 patients undergoing ACL surgical treatment and identify demographics, injury and surgical factors associated with their presence.

Patients and methods

This multicentric retrospective study involved 92 patients with Tanner 1–2 treated surgically for ACL injuries from 2002 to 2019. Data included demographic information, injury and surgerical details.

Results

Older age was associated with a significantly increased risk of concomitant lesions (p = 0.005). Meniscal tears were observed in 48.9% of patients. Lateral meniscal tears and posterior horn involvement were the most common pattern, neither ACL tear location or mechanism of injury influenced the occurrence of meniscal tears. Concomitant cartilage injuries were detected in 10.9% of patients.

Discussion

Tanner 1–2 patients with ACL tears have a high rate of associated lesions, particularly as age increases. These findings can help the surgical decision making and support the importance of a careful pre and intra-operative evaluation.