Evaluation of clinical factors affecting knee pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Abstract

This study evaluated clinical factors affecting knee pain after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. One hundred two patients who underwent ACL reconstruction were evaluated to determine the incidence of postoperative pain and the associated factors affecting this pain. Pain was evaluated according to gender, age, length of preoperative period, preoperative pain, meniscal damage, cartilage damage at surgery, extension deficit, anterior laxity, and knee extension strength. Seventy percent of patients reported pain, and the cause of pain varied. Females and older patients indicated a significantly greater degree of pain. Cases involving small anterior laxity, highly damaged cartilage, and extension deficit indicated a significantly greater presence of pain. Length of preoperative period, knee extension strength, and meniscal lesion had no correlation with the degree of pain.