Repeat tears of repaired menisci after arthroscopic confirmation of healing.
We undertook 114 arthroscopic meniscal repairs in 111 patients and subsequently carried out second-look arthroscopy to confirm meniscal healing at a mean of 13 months after repair. Stable healing at the repaired site was seen in 90. Of these, however, 13 had another arthroscopy later for a further tear. The mean period between the repair and the observation of a repeat tear was 48 months. Of the 13 patients, 11 had returned to high activity levels (International Knee Documentation Committee level I or II) after the repair. An attempt should be made to preserve meniscal function by repairing tears, but even after arthroscopic confirmation of stable healing repaired menisci may tear again. The long-term rate of healing may not be as high as is currently reported. Second-look arthroscopy cannot predict late meniscal failure and may not be justified as a method of assessment for meniscal healing. Young patients engaged in arduous sporting activities should be reviewed regularly even after arthroscopic confirmation of healing.
Kurosaka
Masahiro
M
Kobe University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Japan.
Yoshiya
Shinichi
S
Kuroda
Ryosuke
R
Matsui
Nobuzo
N
Yamamoto
Tetsuji
T
Tanaka
Juichi
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014945:Wound Healing