Abstract
Summary abstract The aim of this study was to clinically assess the outcome of arthroscopically assisted inside to outside meniscal repair. 75 meniscal repairs were carried out, the average age was 26yr 8 months, 14 patients ( 18.6% ) were lost to follow up. Average follow up was 6 yrs 4 months. The overall success rate was 86.9%, with 74.1% scoring clinically good or excellent on the Lysholm Score. There was a trend of improved results for patients over 30yrs, those with longer tears and lateral repairs did slightly better. Those with ACL laxity had a significantly better result. The time interval to repair following injury did not make a difference. The authors would recommend this traditional technique.
Full abstract
Purpose To clinically assess the mid to long-term outcome of arthroscopically assisted inside to outside meniscal repair.
Type of study Retrospective review
Method Patients were followed up by a combination of clinical review, mail and telephone questionnaires. The Lysholm knee (LS) and the Tegner activity (TA) scores were recorded.
Results From July 1991 until February 1999 75 meniscal repairs were carried out in 70 patients by a single surgeon (PJR). The average age of the patients was 26yr 8 months, there were 52 male and 18 female patients. 14 patients ( 18.6% ) were lost to formal follow up. Lysholm Score (LS) and Tegner Activity (TA) scores were available on 58 repairs for analysis. The average follow up was 6 yrs 4 months (range 3yrs 4 months to 10yrs 9 months ), Average scores were LS=89.2, TA before surgery=6.2, TA after surgery=5.7. 9 patients had menisectomy following re-tear due to further injury. The overall success rate was 86.9%, with 74.1% scoring clinically good or excellent on the Lysholm Score.
Conclusion There was a trend of improved results for patients over 30yrs, those with longer tears and lateral repairs did slightly better. Those with ACL laxity had a significantly better result. The time interval to repair following injury did not make a difference. With an overall success rate of 86.9% the authors would recommend this traditional technique in light of the more recent techniques presently in use.
Correspondence should be addressed to Roger Smith, Honorary Secretary, BASK c/o Royal College of Surgeons, 35 – 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
