title: The outcome of all-inside meniscal repair with relation to previous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arthroscopically assisted all-inside meniscal repair has become a popular treatment for meniscal tears. Previous studies have suggested a beneficial effect of concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on meniscal repair outcomes. The effect of prior cruciate ligament reconstruction (predating the meniscal injury) on meniscal repair success is unreported. The aim of this study was to assess the success of meniscal repair in our practice. Further aims were to analyze the effect of concomitant- and past-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on meniscal repair outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of all patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscal repair during a 53 month period was performed. Mean followup was 13.5 months (mean 6-50). The primary outcome measure was meniscal reoperation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen of 104 patients required reoperation, giving an overall meniscal repair success rate of 85%. Patients undergoing concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction enjoyed significantly improved outcomes (91%, p=0.049), while those with a past history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction had significantly worse meniscal repair success rates (63%, p=0.016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic meniscal repair in a selected patient group offers good success rates, especially when performed with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We have identified a subgroup of patients, those with a past history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction predating the meniscal injury, who appear to have relatively poor outcomes from meniscal repair. Potential reasons for this finding are discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, case series.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom. Electronic address: richwalter55@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.affiliation: The Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dhadwal
authors.affiliation: The Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schranz
authors.affiliation: The Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, EX2 5DW, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mandalia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Arthroscopic; Meniscal repair; Meniscus; Tear