Long-term results of open meniscal repair

The purpose of this study was to document the long-term clinical and radiographic results of open meniscal repair. Thirty consecutive patients, involving 33 open repairs, were evaluated by history, physical examination, KT-1000 arthrometer testing, Lysholm II score, Tegner activity score, and weightbearing radiographs. The mean followup was 10.9 years (range, 10.1 to 13). No patients were lost to followup. Seven meniscal retears (21%) were documented (six demonstrated by repeat arthroscopy and one suspected on clinical evaluation). Three of 21 (14%) acute repairs (performed within 6 weeks of injury) retore as compared with 4 of 12 (33%) chronic repairs (P = 0.38). None of the 12 menisci in stable knees (< 3 mm side-to-side difference in anterior laxity on manual maximum load testing) sustained retears, compared with 7 of 21 (33%) menisci in nearly stable or unstable knees (P = 0.03). Standing radiographs revealed no degenerative changes in 22 of 26 (85%) compartments with successful repairs as compared with 3 of 7 (43%) compartments with retorn menisci (P = 0.04). We concluded that the long-term survival rate of repaired menisci was 79%, that increased retear rates were encountered in unstable knees, and that radiographs provided evidence for the biomechanical function of successful meniscal repairs.