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Repair of peripheral meniscus tears. A preliminary report
The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|July 1, 1981
Summary
Repairing peripheral meniscus tears in 27 patients showed promising healing results. Further research is needed to confirm long-term benefits for preventing knee osteoarthritis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Meniscus tears often lead to degenerative joint disease in the knee.
- Surgical removal of meniscus tissue can exacerbate osteoarthritis.
- Peripheral meniscus tears present an opportunity for repair to potentially mitigate degeneration.
Observation:
- 27 patients underwent 29 peripheral meniscus repairs (24 medial, 5 lateral).
- Patients ranged from 13 to 34 years old.
- Surgical technique involved meniscus resuturing to surrounding structures.
Findings:
- Postoperative arthrograms in 4 patients showed complete healing.
- Direct visualization in 2 cases confirmed healed suture lines.
- Most patients experienced symptom improvement, though some had intermittent swelling or delayed return to activity.
Implications:
- Peripheral meniscus tear repair is technically feasible.
- This approach may help prevent progressive degenerative changes in the knee.
- Longer-term follow-up is essential to evaluate the durability and efficacy of meniscus repair in preventing osteoarthritis.