Abstract
Aims and Objectives:
Failure of isolated primary meniscal repair must be expected in 14% - 28%. Patients requiring revision surgery may benefit from revision meniscal repair, however, the results of revision meniscal repair remain unclear. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the clinical outcome and failure rates of revision meniscal repair in patients with re-tears or failed healing after previous isolated meniscal repair in stable knee joints.
Materials and Methods:
A chart review was performed to identify all patients undergoing revision meniscal repair between 08/2010 and 02/2016. Only patients without concomitant procedures, without ligamentous insufficiency, and a minimum follow-up of 24 months were included. The records of all patients were reviewed to collect patient demographics, injury patterns of the meniscus, and details about primary and revision surgery. Follow-up evaluation included failure rates, clinical outcome scores (Lysholm Score, KOOS Score), sporting activity (Tegner scale), and patient satisfaction.
Results:
A total of 12 patients with a mean age of 22 ± 5 years were included. The mean time between primary repair and revision repair was 27 ± 21 months. Reasons for failed primary repairs were traumatic re-tears in 10 patients (83%) and failed healing in two patients (17%). The mean follow-up period after revision meniscal repair was 43 months. Failure of revision meniscal repair occurred in 3 patients (25%). In two of these patients, re-revision repair was performed. At final follow-up, the mean Lysholm Score was 95.2 with a range of 90-100, representing a good to excellent result in all patients. The final assessment of the KOOS subscores also showed good to excellent results. The mean Tegner scale was 6.8 ± 1.8, indicating a relatively high level of sports participation. Ten patients (83%) were either very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome.
Conclusion:
In patients with re-tears or failed healing after previous isolated meniscal repair, revision meniscal repair results in good to excellent knee function, high level of sports participation, and high patient satisfaction. The failure rate is comparable to isolated meniscal repair. Therefore, revision meniscal repair is worthwhile in order to save as much meniscal tissue as possible.