gms | German Medical Science

Objectives: The aim of this study to investigate the clinical and radiologic results of arthroscopic meniscal repair for the patients who are operated in our clinic.

Methods: From 2008 to 2013; 140 patients came their controls regularly and were included in this study. Of these, 129 were male and 11 were female. The mean age was 27.5 years. Patients divided into two main groups. Group 1, the patients underwent only arthroscopic meniscus repair; Group 2, the patients underwent arthroscopic meniscus repair with concurrent anterior cruciate ligament repair. Patients were invited to regular checks at 1., 2., 6. and 12. months. 65 patients who had MRI of affected knee after at least 1 year follow up checked if there was an additional pathology or the meniscal pathology persisted. Preoperative and postoperative functional status of patients were calculated with clinic examinations with Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring, clinical improvement and satisfaction were measured. Concurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, type of tears, tears of location, suture techniques were investigated for the effect of clinical and radiological improvement.

Results and Conclusion: Number of patients underwent only meniscal repair was 43 and concurrent anterior cruciate ligament repair was 97. The mean follow-up was 39 months. The mean Lysholm score for only meniscal repair group was 37 preoperatively and at the last follow up was 90. Patients with concurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction had the same corresponding scores postoperatively than preoperatively (p<0.001). IKDC scores improved significantly for both groups (p<0.001). In only meniscal repair group; 11(%25,6) patients were in group B, 20(%46.5) was in group C, 12(%27.9) was in group D preoperatively. Postoperatively these scores improved to 31(%72.1) patients were in group A, 9(%20.9) was in group B, 0(%0) was in group C, 3(%7) was in group D. Preoperatively 33(%34) patients with concurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were in group B, 23(%23.7) was in group C, 41 was in group D (%42.1) then improved to 40(%41.2) patients in group A, 34(%35.1) was in group B, 12(%12.4) was in group C, 11(%11.3) was in group D (p< 0.001). According to the Lysholm and IKDC evaluation scoring 3(7%) patients had surgical failure for the only meniscal repair group and 11(%11.3) patients for the concurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction group. All patients who we were succesful at the last follow up said they had reached their activity levels within 4-6 months after the surgery.

In conclusion concurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with meniscal repair compared to only meniscal repair for meniscal healing in the mid-term gave similar results statistically (p >0.05). Peripheral tears was better for healing in the mid-term results (p< 0.05). Addition outside inside method to all inside method didn't statistically improve the clinical results for meniscal helaing (p >0.05).