title: Review of the clinical results of arthroscopic meniscal repair.
abstract: A total of 62 arthroscopic meniscal repairs (60 knees in 59 patients) over a 5-year period were evaluated retrospectively to assess outcome and to identify factors that might improve future clinical results. The overall success rate was 66.1%. Early repair within 3 months of sustaining the tear gave better results (91%) than if carried out later (58%). Suture repair alone yielded better results (78%) than meniscal arrows or a T-fix device (56%). Healing rates of atraumatic meniscus tears were much lower than for traumatic tears (42 vs. 73%). The isolated atraumatic medial meniscal tear appeared to do particularly poorly (33% healing) and may be better treated by meniscectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkatachalam
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Godsiff
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Harding
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome