The Impact of a Concomitant Meniscus Surgery on Hop Performance Symmetry in Patients Rehabilitating After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

The study looked backward at charts, so it cannot show that partial meniscectomy caused the lower hop symmetry. The partial meniscectomy group was older than the meniscus repair group, and the authors did not adjust for age because they judged the age difference to reflect normal surgical choices. Hop performance was measured only once, at each patient's individual return-to-sport testing visit, not at a fixed post-operative time. Patients came from two clinics and had different ages and sport backgrounds, which may add variability. The study did not analyze the type, location, or extent of the meniscus injury. It did not test why hop symmetry was lower, such as power, movement control, or fear of re-injury. The rehabilitation protocol was similar but patients progressed at different times, so recovery content was not controlled.

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that partial meniscectomy causes worse hop performance. This was a retrospective chart review, and the groups differed in age and clinical timing of testing, so the finding is an association observed at return-to-sport testing, not proof of a surgical effect.