Nearly 80,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears happen in every year in United States. In most of the cases surgery is done. When the knee is hyperextended during activity, or is suddenly torqued there are ACL tears. Recent study revealed that ACL surgery yields better result than meniscus repairs.

Research team led by Dr. Robert Brophy of the Washington University School of Medicine analyzed a database of NFL player injuries from
1987 to 2000. Data indicated that 54 players had meniscus repairs, 29 had ACL reconstruction and 11 undergone both treatments.

Researchers found that players who underwent ACL surgery had longer careers as compared to their peers who had meniscus repairs.

Dr Robert Brophy said: "A combination of ACL reconstruction and meniscectomy may be more detrimental to an athlete's durability than either surgery alone. With further research, we will be able to better understand how these injuries and surgeries impact an athlete's career and what can be done to improve long-term outcomes."