Inside-out Meniscal Repairs in the Setting of Multiligament Reconstruction in the Knee: Does Meniscal Repair Affect Outcomes and Failure Rates?

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes and failure rates of meniscal repair in patients who underwent multiligament reconstruction compared to patients who underwent multiligament reconstruction but lacked meniscal tears. We hypothesized that the outcomes of meniscal repair associated with a concomitant multiligament reconstruction would significantly improve from preoperatively to postoperatively at a minimum of 2 years following the index surgery. Secondarily, we hypothesized that this cohort would demonstrate similar outcomes and failure rates compared to the cohort who did not have meniscal pathology at the time of multiligament reconstruction. Methods: Inclusion criteria for the study included radiographically confirmed skeletally mature patients over 16 years of age who underwent multiligamentous reconstruction of the knee without previous ipsilateral osteotomy, intraarticular infection, or fracture. Patients were included in the experimental group if they underwent inside-out meniscus suture repair with a concurrent multiligament reconstruction. Those included in the control group (multiligament reconstruction without a meniscal tear) underwent multiligament reconstruction, but did not have any type of meniscal surgery. Lysholm, WOMAC, SF-12 PCS and MCS, Tegner Activity scale and patient satisfaction were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Failure of the meniscal repair was defined as a re-tear of the meniscus that was confirmed arthroscopically. Results: There were 43 patients (16 females, 27 males) in the meniscal repair group and 62 patients in the control group (25 females, 37 males). Follow-up was obtained in 93% of patients with an average follow-up of 3.0 years (range, 2.0 to 4.7 years). There was a significant improvement between all preoperative and postoperative outcome scores (p