Risk Factors for Re-Tear of the Meniscus Following Meniscus Repair with Concomitant ACL Reconstruction

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the rate of meniscal re-tear in patients with concomitant ACL reconstruction, with specific focus on surgical factors and patient demographic factors. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent meniscal repair with concomitant ACL reconstruction at our institution over a seven-year period. Demographic and case variables were assessed, including sex, age, height, weight, BMI, medial versus lateral repairs, ACL graft type, ACL reconstruction technique, meniscus repair technique, and post-operative weight bearing status. Failure of repair was defined as need for repeat surgery on the same meniscus. Results: There were 191 patients included in the study; of those 118 did not need further surgery on the meniscus at a minimum of 2 years post operation while 73 did have a re-operation on the same meniscus (rate of failure 38.2%). There were significant differences between re-operation and non-re-operation groups based on ACL graft type (54% failure for allograft vs. 30/23% failure for both autograft cohorts) and meniscal repair side (46% re-tear rate for medial meniscus vs. 17% for lateral meniscus). The pediatric (under 18 years old) cohort included 57 patients; 28 patients required additional meniscal surgery and 29 did not (rate of re-operation 49%). Conclusions: The overall failure rate of meniscus repair was nearly 40%. Risk factors for re-tear of the meniscus were repair of the medial meniscus and allograft usage for ACL reconstruction. The rate of re-tear in patients under 18 was nearly 50%, which is higher than in the adult population.