Does age predict outcome after multiligament knee reconstruction for the dislocated knee? 2- to 22-year follow-up

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether age is a predictor of clinical and functional outcomes in patients who sustained a knee dislocation (KD) and underwent multiligament knee reconstruction. It was hypothesized that increasing age will negatively affect patient outcome. Methods: In total, 125 multiligament knee injuries (MLKI) associated with KD were surgically reconstructed between 1992 and 2013 and evaluated with IKDC and Lysholm scores at a median follow-up of 5 (range 2–22) years. Patient demographics including age were then analysed with respect to IKDC and Lysholm scores using rank sums and pair-wise rank sums analysis for continuous variables and Chi-square analysis for categorical variables. Results: In total, 125 patients (96 males and 29 females) with a median age of 31 (range 11–62) years at the time of surgery were included. At final follow-up, patients ≤30 years old compared to >30 years old obtained higher IKDC (73.3 vs. 61.9; p = 0.01) and Lysholm scores (76.9 vs. 68.5; p = 0.04). No confounding variables including gender, injury mechanism, injury pattern, injuries to the peroneal nerve, popliteal artery, meniscus, or cartilage accounted for differences in outcome scores between the two groups. Conclusion: Based on current available literature, this study represents the largest cohort with the longest follow-up reported on MLKI to date. At intermediate- to long-term follow-up, patients >30 years of age that undergo multiligament knee reconstruction for KD have inferior IKDC and Lysholm scores compared to those ≤30 years of age. However, successful multiligament knee reconstruction can still be obtained in this age group. Level of evidence: IV.