Long-term outcome after meniscal repair

The purpose of this study was to analyse the clinical and radiological results of meniscal repairs and identify factors that correlate with the success of this procedure. A retrospective review of 119 meniscal repairs was completed. The average follow-up was 70 months. Successful meniscal repairs were observed critically in terms of radiographic changes and clinical outcomes and compared with failed meniscal repairs. The overall success rate of meniscal repairs was 74%. Meniscal repairs that were performed within 6 weeks of injury had better results (83%) than late repairs (52%). The best results were obtained with the inside-out technique using #0 PDS suture (80%) compared to all-inside Biofix arrows (70%) and combined repairs (63%). Patients with associated ACL injury had a better chance of a successful outcome, but this was only significant when the ACL was reconstructed at the time of repair (P < 0.05). Those patients who had failed meniscal repair had increased radiographic osteoarthritic changes (81%) on long-term follow-up compared to patients with successful repair (14%). This retrospective study shows the clinical and radiological importance of meniscal repair. Successful results in this study were associated with younger age and earlier repair using inside-out technique. Furthermore, increased success was seen in meniscal repairs performed in association with ACL reconstruction.