Arthroscopic meniscus repair: clinical and isokinetic results

The importance of the menisci for transmitting workloads in the knee joint to protect the articular cartilage is widely acknowledged. Therefore various techniques have been introduced to repair the damaged meniscus.We performed an arthroscopic meniscus repair with a modified outside-in technique on 29 patients (average 25 years) between 2/91 and 10/94. The average time between trauma and operation was 29 weeks (1-186) - the follow-up 16.3 months (4-49). All the patients were interviewed by phone - 23 were available for clinical respectively isokinetic examination, and categorized following the Lysholm and Lais scores.Twenty-eight patients were happy with the result of the procedure. Following the Lysholm score we found 78% good/excellent results (Lais score 74%). Isokinetic testing showed a muscular deficit of less than 20% in 91% of the cases for flexion (extension 69%). No significant influence neither of the age of the patient nor the time period between trauma and operation on the outcome of the procedure could be found. No complications were reported.Based on our results and well aware of the deleterious long term effects of total meniscectomy the arthroscopic menical repair performed by an experienced surgeon should be generous choice of therapy for the treatment of the ruptured meniscus.