Repair of Isolated Lateral Meniscal Injuries Yields Comparable Clinical Outcomes in Young and Middle-Aged Patients

The clinical outcomes of arthroscopic repair of isolated lateral meniscal injuries in middle-aged patients remain unclear. We compared the clinical outcomes of lateral meniscal repair between young and middle-aged patients, hypothesising that both groups could achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes.

This retrospective study included patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of isolated lateral meniscal injuries between 2013 and 2021. The inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥ 15 years; (2) Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≤ 2; (3) at least 2 years postoperative follow-up; and (4) traumatic meniscus tear. Patients were divided into two groups: those aged < 35 years (Group Y) and those aged > 35 years (Group M). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) achievement rates for the KOOS at the final follow-up.

Groups Y and M included 40 and 32 patients, respectively. At the final follow-up, all KOOS subscales had significantly improved in both groups; Group Y showed significantly better outcomes than did Group M. No significant differences were found between the groups in PASS achievement rates for symptoms, pain, or quality of life (QOL).

The key finding of this study was that the PASS achievement rates for the KOOS regarding symptoms, pain, and QOL after arthroscopic repair of isolated lateral meniscal injuries were not significantly different between young and middle-aged patients. Therefore, arthroscopic repair represents a potentially viable treatment option for isolated lateral meniscal injuries in middle-aged patients.