title: MR-arthrography assessment after repair of chronic meniscal tears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to assess the healing rate of repair of chronically torn meniscal tear with MR-arthrography and to evaluate the relationship between the clinical and the radiographic outcomes and the impact of the meniscal section on healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  MR-arthrography was performed at a median of 10.5 months (range 6-55) after surgery in 28 patients and healing assessed using Henning's criteria. All lesions were chronic (>3 months). Repairs were carried out at a median 14 months (range 6-80) from initial diagnosis. Eleven patients (39%) had ACL ligament reconstruction as well. All lesions were located in the red or red-white zone. Patients were followed for a median of 18.5 months (range 8-68). Functional outcomes were evaluated using Barrett's healing criteria, Lysholm and Tegner score pre- and postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical healing of the lesion according to Barrett's criteria was achieved in 24 patients (85.7%). Both Lysholm and Tegner scores improved significantly after the surgery (p < 0.05). According to Henning's criteria, 15 of the menisci healed completely (53.5%), 10 partially (35.7%) and 3 failed (10.8%). There was no significant difference between the healing process in the posterior horn and the body of the meniscus (n.s.). No correlation was found between the healing results and the clinical scores. ACL reconstruction did not influence the healing process (n.s.). Patients waiting more than 1 year from lesion to surgery seem to have a higher rate of failure (p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results found suggest good short-term clinical and anatomic outcomes post-repair of meniscal lesions, despite their chronic nature. Longer waiting times may have negative effects on the healing process. Partial healing occurred often, but the meniscus was painless and stable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series, Level IV.
authors.affiliation: Knee Unit, Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Hospital Clínic, C/Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain, popescu@clinic.ub.es.
authors.forename: Dragos
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Popescu
authors.forename: Sergi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sastre
authors.forename: Ana Isabel
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tomas
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reategui
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caballero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D065466:Lysholm Knee Score; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D061665:Time-to-Treatment; D055815:Young Adult