Does Concomitant Meniscectomy or Meniscus Repair Affect Muscle Strength, Lower Extremity Balance, and Functional Tests after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

Background/Objective: The effects of concomitant meniscal tears and their associated treatment on strength, lower extremity balance, and functional status after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have not been widely investigated. This study aimed to compare the functional outcomes in patients who underwent ACLR with concomitant treatment of the medial meniscus repair versus meniscectomy when returning to unrestricted physical activity. Methods: A total of 85 patients who underwent primary ACLR with combined meniscal repair (MREP; n = 39) or meniscectomy (MRES; n = 46) were assessed. The dataset included the Functional Movement Screen (TM) (FMS) outcomes and single-leg balance test (SLBT) with anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and overall stability indexes. Isokinetic knee extension and flexion strengths were tested at velocities of 60 deg<middle dot>s(-1) and 180 deg<middle dot>s(-1). The peak torque-to-body weight ratio (PT/BW) and limb symmetry index (LSI) were calculated. Results: In the functional assessment, there was no significant inter-group difference in the composite score of the FMS (MREP: 15.08 pts vs. MRES: 15.13 pts; p > 0.05). The SLBT outcomes in inter-group and inter-extremity comparisons were irrelevant (p > 0.05), too. Significant differences emerged in the inter-group comparison of the knee extension strength in the non-operated extremity at both 60 deg<middle dot>s(-1) and 180 deg<middle dot>s(-1) (p = 0.02). Inter-extremity differences were significant in both the MREP and MRES groups for knee extension and flexion at both angular velocities (all p values < 0.05). For knee extension, the LSI values ranged from 82% to 87%, and for flexion, from 77% to 84%, with no significant inter-group differences. Conclusions: Patients undergoing ACLR with concomitant meniscal repair or resection did not exhibit differences in isokinetic muscle strength, lower extremity balance, and functional tests upon returning to activity. However, participants in both groups demonstrated significant differences between the operated and non-operated extremities as far as the knee joint extensor and flexor strengths are concerned. Therefore, rehabilitation protocols should prioritize equalizing inter-extremity strength differences after the ACLR with additional treatment procedures addressing the menisci.