ACL reconstruction, medial meniscus repair and high tibial osteotomy done as a single stage procedure in a case of neglected ACL and partial medial meniscus tear with a subsequent varus knee: A case report

Abstract

A long standing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear causes progressive degenerative changes in the knee. This leads to secondary meniscal lesions, cartilage degenerative changes and subsequent varus angulation.A 27 year old male footballer presented to us with a traumatic right knee pain and swelling with recurrent instability, since 8 years. On examination there was knee laxity with an obvious varus deformity of the right leg. Radiographs showed medical compartment osteoarthritis and MRI was suggestive of a chronic ACL and medial meniscus tear. A single step salvage procedure of ACL reconstruction, medial meniscus repair and valgus producing high tibial osteotomy (HTO) was done for this patient. Post operatively there was no knee laxity and instability. At one year follow up, the patient had a satisfactory outcome with a painless and complete knee range of motion and had full weight bearing.In this case report we have shown how a single step salvage procedures with biological reconstructions can be done for patients with chronic ACL and medial meniscus tear patients with varus angulation, with a good outcome. Hence, simultaneous reconstructions of the ACL and medial meniscus with HTO can be used as a novel management technique to delay arthroplasty in young patients with unstable arthritic knees.