Long-term assessment of arthroscopic meniscus repair: a 13-year follow-up study

A prospective study was set up to evaluate meniscal suturing using an inside-out technique. Of an initial group of 20 patients who underwent closed meniscus repair between 1985 and 1988 using an inside-out technique, 13 were studied. All patients were subjected to a clinical examination and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation. The findings were compared with those of their previous follow-up examination (1994). The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee rating system (R.G. Stone et al. Athroscopy 1990; 73-78) was used. The study included seven men and six women, ranging in age from 29 years to 50 years (mean age: 35 years 6 months). The mean follow-up was 13 years 2 months (11 years 11 months-15 years 4 months). Six left and seven right knees were involved. Seven patients also had an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury of which one was repaired 6 years after meniscal repair. All patients obtained an HSS score of more than 75%. In all patients, the site of the previous suture was still visible on MRI mainly by small metal artefacts in the meniscus. Patients with an unrepaired ACL lesion had an early onset of arthrosis and cartilage degeneration. Meniscal suturing gives good clinical long-term results. Magnetic resonance imaging, however, showed signs of mucoid degeneration or scar tissue in 46% of the patients.