Meniscal Repair in Pediatric Populations: A Systematic Review of Outcomes
Daniel J Liechti1, David S Constantinescu2, Taylor J Ridley3
1West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
Insights
Pediatric meniscal repair is effective, preserving knee tissue with low failure rates. This study reviewed outcomes, showing good clinical scores and minimal complications in children and adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Pediatric sports medicine
- Knee joint biomechanics
Background:
- Meniscal tissue loss in children can lead to long-term joint health issues.
- Preserving meniscal tissue is crucial for pediatric knee health.
- Understanding outcomes of meniscal repair in young patients is important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review knee outcome measures after meniscal repair in pediatric patients.
- To assess complication rates following pediatric meniscal tear repair.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of meniscal repair in children and adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies published from 1980 to present.
- Searched Cochrane, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases for relevant English-language articles.
- Included studies reported outcomes of meniscal tears in patients under 18 with >12 months follow-up.
Main Results:
- Eight studies involving 287 pediatric patients (301 meniscal tears) met inclusion criteria.
- Average postoperative Lysholm scores ranged from 85.4 to 96.3; Tegner scores ranged from 6.2 to 8.
- 52% of repairs had concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Conclusions:
- Arthroscopic meniscal repair is an effective treatment for pediatric and adolescent populations.
- The procedure demonstrates a low failure rate and enhances postoperative clinical outcomes.
- Meniscal repair effectively preserves vital meniscal tissues in young patients.
Background:
Loss of meniscal tissue in the pediatric population can have long-term consequences on joint health, highlighting the importance of meniscal preservation in this group.
Purpose:
To systematically review reported knee outcome measures and complication rates after repair of meniscal tears in children and adolescents.
Study Design:
Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods:
A review of the literature regarding the existing evidence for pediatric meniscal tear outcomes was performed through use of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed (1980-present), and MEDLINE (1980-present). Included were articles in English that reported the outcomes of meniscal tears in the pediatric population (<18 years old) with a follow-up of more than 12 months. Clinical outcome scores were reviewed.
Results:
A total of 1003 total studies were initially retrieved, with 8 meeting the inclusion criteria. The review included 287 patients (165 male, 122 female), mean age 15.1 years (range, 4-18 years), with 301 meniscal tears (reported: 134 medial, 127 lateral, and 32 both medial and lateral, 8 location unspecified). Concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed in 52% (158/301) of meniscal repairs. The average reported postoperative Lysholm scores ranged from 85.4 to 96.3, and the average reported postoperative Tegner activity scores ranged from 6.2 to 8.
Conclusion:
Arthroscopic repair of a meniscal tear in the pediatric and adolescent population is an effective treatment option that has a low failure rate, enhances postoperative clinical outcomes, and preserves meniscal tissues.
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