The outcome of all-inside meniscal repair with relation to previous anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

- Overall success rate for meniscal repair in our series was 85%
- Outcomes are improved when performed with ACL reconstruction
- Meniscal repair results are poor in patients with past ACL reconstruction

BackgroundArthroscopically assisted all-inside meniscal repair has become a popular treatment for meniscal tears. Previous studies have suggested a beneficial effect of concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on meniscal repair outcomes. The effect of prior cruciate ligament reconstruction (predating the meniscal injury) on meniscal repair success is unreported. The aim of this study was to assess the success of meniscal repair in our practice. Further aims were to analyze the effect of concomitant- and past-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on meniscal repair outcomes.MethodsRetrospective review of all patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscal repair during a 53 month period was performed. Mean followup was 13.5 months (mean 6-50). The primary outcome measure was meniscal reoperation.ResultsSixteen of 104 patients required reoperation, giving an overall meniscal repair success rate of 85%. Patients undergoing concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction enjoyed significantly improved outcomes (91%, p = 0.049), while those with a past history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction had significantly worse meniscal repair success rates (63%, p = 0.016).ConclusionsArthroscopic meniscal repair in a selected patient group offers good success rates, especially when performed with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We have identified a subgroup of patients, those with a past history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction predating the meniscal injury, who appear to have relatively poor outcomes from meniscal repair. Potential reasons for this finding are discussed.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, case series.