Meniscal repair in the young athlete

Twenty-nine meniscal repairs in 26 patients 17 years of age or younger were performed using arthroscopic techniques. Clinical follow-up examinations were performed and the SF-36 Health Status Survey and International Knee Documentation Committee evaluation form were administered. A Lysholm score was determined for each patient. All 26 patients were seen for follow-up at an average of 5.0 years (range, 2.0 to 13.5). All patients had a full range of motion with no effusion, joint line tenderness, or McMurray sign present at the time of examination. No patient experienced symptoms of locking. No patient underwent repeat surgery for a nonhealed meniscal repair. The clinical healing rate in this group was 100%. The SF-36 data demonstrated an average physical functioning score of 91 and an average role physical score of 91. The average Lysholm score was 90. Twenty-two patients (85%) were performing level I activities based on the International Knee Documentation Committee rating. Excellent rates of healing, even higher than those obtained in the adult population, can be obtained with meniscal repairs performed in this young age group.