Research Snapshot
Long-Term Outcome After Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair Versus Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy for Traumatic Meniscal Tear
Study Purpose
This study was conducted to learn whether patients with traumatic meniscal tears have better long-term outcomes if their meniscus is repaired versus partially removed.
Participants
This study involved 81 patients with meniscal tears. Prior to their injuries, some participated in recreational sports 5 or more times a week (“athletes”), while others were less active.
Outcomes
Patients in the two groups (meniscus repair and partial meniscus removal) were compared based on three outcomes: osteoarthritis progression, ability to play sports at a pre-injury level, and knee function.
Timeframe
Outcomes were compared between the two groups at two different points following their surgeries: after 2 to 5 years (“mid-term”), and again after 5 to 8 years (“long-term”).
Main Findings
- Success rate after meniscal repair was 86% vs. 90% for partial meniscus removal
- Mid-term outcomes for all patients: Both the meniscus repair and removal groups showed similar results in osteoarthritis progression, return to pre-injury sports activity level, and knee function.
- Long-term outcomes for all patients:
- A higher percentage of patients in the repair group (81%) had no progression in osteoarthritis than those in the removal group (40%)
- Nearly all patients in the repair group (96%) regained their pre-injury sports activity level vs. half of the patients in the removal group
- No significant difference between the repair and removal groups in knee function
- Outcomes for athletes: At both mid-term and long-term time-points, more patients in the repair group (over 94%) regained their pre-injury sports activity level compared to the removal group (around 50%). For patients 30 years and younger, meniscus repair also slowed osteoarthritis progression compared to partial removal.
Key Message
This study shows that arthroscopic meniscal repair offers better long-term results in terms of preventing osteoarthritic progression and regaining sports activity than partial meniscus removal.
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