Risk Factors for Early Subsequent (Revision or Contralateral) ACL Reconstruction: A Retrospective Database Study.

Background: Many factors contribute to the risk for subsequent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) within 2 years from the index procedure.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate the incidence of subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACLR at 2 years in a large cohort and (2) to explore the association between patient-specific factors and early subsequent ACLR risk by age group. We hypothesize that 2-year subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACLR rates will be low and that risk factors for subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACLR will vary depending on a patient's age group.

Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development Ambulatory Surgery Database was retrospectively reviewed to assess the incidence of 2-year subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACLR and to identify patient-specific risk factors for early subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACLR by age group between 2005 and 2014.

Results: Of 94,108 patients included, the rate of subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACLR was highest in patients younger than 21 years (2.4 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 2.3-2.6) and lowest in those older than 40 years (1.3 per 100 person-years; 95% CI, 1.2-1.4). Younger age, white race (compared with Hispanic in all age groups and Asian in age <21 or >40 years), private insurance if age younger than 21 years, public insurance or worker's compensation claims if age older than 30 years were significantly associated with an increased risk of subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACLR at 2 years.

Conclusion: Results of the present study provide insight into subsequent (revision or contralateral) ACL reconstruction, which can be used to assess and modify treatment for at-risk patients and highlight the need for data mining to generate clinically applicable research using national and international databases.