Meniscus tears can be confusing. They can occur with trauma or not, they come in a variety of shapes and locations which can influence treatment options and outcomes profoundly, and the right treatment remains a matter of great debate. The literature is likewise confusing, and historically has been heterogeneous. Dr. Benjamin MA, MD, PhD from the famed UCSF joins us to discuss an international multi-society expert panel he took part in to generate consensus statements regarding meniscus tear treatment. The consensus statements give all of us in the Sports Medicine world some guidance and reassurance for our approach to this seemingly simple structure, the meniscus, that, when torn, is full of complexities.

Once the most popular graft choice for ACL reconstruction surgery, hamstring autograft has recently fallen out of favor for a variety of concerns including a higher graft rupture rate in younger athletes and concerns over graft diameters that tend to run smaller. However, what does the best level evidence actually say about hamstring autograft’s long-term performance versus the current gold-standard, patellar tendon autograft? Dr. Derrick Knapick, MD joins us from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to discuss his study looking at this question.

ACL surgery has come a long way since the early days of acute open repair to modern-day ACL reconstruction. Still, in spite of our advancements in knowledge, technique, and technology, graft rupture as well as contralateral ACL injury remain a concern for patients and their Sports Medicine providers. Well-renowned for her body of work in ACL research, Dr. Kate Webster, PhD from La Trobe University joins us to discuss her team’s recent study on the long-term survival of ACL autografts and contralateral ACL ruptures over a 10-year follow up period. These ACL re-injury rates illustrate that, while we have made great strides over the decades, there is still room for improvement.