Body Mass Index as an Indicator of Associated Intra-articular Injuries in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

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This study assessed the relationship between body mass index (BMI), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
injury, and associated meniscal and cartilage injury. Age, ACL classification, and Tegner activity score
were considered. A total of 1968 ACL reconstruction patients (2/1/1996 to 5/1/2012) were analyzed.
All graft types, age groups, and activity levels were included. A BMI ½30 correlated with a significant
likelihood of medial meniscus tears (p D .022). Patients with a BMI ½30 were 21.6% more likely to have
a medial meniscus tear with an ACL injury. Grade III and IV chondral lesions correlated with a BMI
½30 (p D .029). Patient’s age predicted medial meniscus outcome (p D .013). Patients whose age was
>25 had a 25.7% higher risk of medial meniscus tear. Chronic ACL patients were 52.6% more likely
to have a meniscus injury. BMI, age, Tegner activity score, and ACL classification are good predictors
of medial meniscus injury. Patients with a BMI ½30 exhibit a greater risk of medial meniscus tear
with ACL instability; however, BMI does not significantly contribute to increased chondral damage in
ACL-deficient patients. ( Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 24(3):159–163, 2015)

Key words: ACL, articular damage, BMI, intra-articular cartilage injury; medial meniscus injury, obesity

Gene R. Barrett, MD; Kasey E. Thibodeaux, MS; William H. Replogle, PhD; Austin Barrett, MD; Taylor Parks, BS; Donald Baker, MD