Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Clinical Protocol of Producing Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction for Potential Cartilage Regeneration
Published on: September 29, 2018
Reoperation Rates of Meniscal Repair Are Associated With a Higher Reoperation Rate Than Meniscectomy in Patients Aged
Arjun N Choudhary1, Richard Puzzitiello2, Matthew Salzler3
1Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Purpose:
To compare the long-term reoperation rates of meniscectomy and meniscal repair and to determine patient and surgical factors associated with earlier reoperation among patients ≥40 years.
Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2020. Patients 40 and older who received a meniscectomy or a meniscal repair with a minimum 1-year follow-up were included. The primary outcome was ipsilateral knee reoperation during the study period. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to determine differences in reoperation rates for meniscal repair and meniscectomy over time. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with earlier time to reoperation.
Results:
A total of 3,026 patients (2,367 meniscectomy, 659 meniscal repair) were included. Mean follow-up was 14.5 ± 0.29 years (range, 1.0-14.91 years). There were no significant differences in baseline demographic characteristics of follow-up between the 2 groups. The survival curves of the 2 procedures significantly differed (P = .02), and the overall reoperation rate was higher after meniscal repair than meniscectomy (13.5% vs 10.1%, P = .01). However, the incidence of subsequent ipsilateral meniscectomy, meniscal repair, and knee arthroplasty procedures did not significantly differ. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified meniscal repair, obesity, concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and increasing age as being significant risks for earlier reoperation, and male sex was protective.
Conclusions:
In a population of patients aged ≥40 with surgically treated meniscal tears and 14.5-year average follow-up, meniscal repair was associated with higher overall reoperation with shorter survival times compared to meniscectomy. However, the indications for the 2 procedures likely differed. Additionally, obesity, older age, female sex, and concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were risk factors for earlier reoperation.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III, retrospective comparative case series.
