POSTER ABSTRACTS - ISAKOS

The arthroCTscan images have been collegially
reviewed, independently
from the surgeon.
RESULTS: According to Henning criteria, the
healing was complete in 42%
of the cases, partial in 31%, absent in 27%.
The location of the tear in red-red or red-white
zones had no influence.
No significant differences were found between
medial and lateral menisci
excepted in case of associated ACL lesions: in this
group lateral
meniscus had better results (complete healing:
50%, partial healing:
50%, no failure).
The healing of meniscus surface was complete in
37%, tear healed more
than 50% in 39% , less than 50% in 12%, healing
was absent in 12%. The
overall result was at least 50% of tear surface
healing in 76% of cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that
meniscus may heal completely or
partially. Lateral meniscus associated to a
repaired ACL rupture has a
better prognosis. In 76% of cases, tear surface
reduces more than 50%,
that leads an unstable meniscal tear to be
transformed in a stable one.
At the opposite, 24% of meniscal tears remains
unstable (tear heals less
than 50%). This percentage is similar to the
secondary meniscectomy rate
(23%) that we observed in a retrospective series of
203 repairs. We
conclude that the goal of a meniscal repair is not
to obtain a complete
healing but a meniscal stability by reduction of
the tear surface.
E-poster w/ Standard #765
Long Term Result of Arthroscopic Meniscal
Repair 3-11 Years Follow-Up
Carsten Bo Perlick, Aalborg, DENMARK, Presenter
Bent Wulff Jakobsen, Aarhus, DENMARK
Rebekka Perlick, Aalborg, DENMARK
Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, DENMARK
supply and meniscal repair techniques, the
postoperative prognosis has been enhanced.
Although several studies have focused on shortterm
healing rates, only a few studies focus on the
long-term healing rates of arthroscopic meniscal
repair. The aim of this retrospective study was to
evaluate the results of meniscal repair in an
intermediate to long-term follow-up and compare
the clinical outcome to MRI and the radiographic
evaluation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Between February 1989 and July 1998 112 patients
were treated with meniscal repair at the Division
of Sports Trauma, Aarhus University Hospital. 83
medial and 29 lateral meniscal tears had meniscal
fixation with either suture meniscal arrows. All
knees were stable. Between March 1992 and June
1998 a re-arthroscopy was performed in 58
patients due to symptoms of re-injury. Out of
these 46 had a re-tear that was resected, 5 were
re-sutured and 12 had healed. Out of the
remaining 66 patients we were able to evaluate 31
patients clinical and subjectively with KOOS and
Lysholm scores. Radiographic examination was
evaluated according to the Fairbanks
classification. An MRI was available in 27 patients.
RESULTS:
Out of the 31 patients 27 had no problems during
daily activity (Lysholm score >84 points). The
patients` assessment of the knee function was
high after repair. 12 had no problems, 15 had
minor problems and 4 had major complaints.
Radiographs were obtained for all 31 patients. 17
showed no further degenerative changes, 11 had a
grade I and 3 had a grade III changes according to
Fairbanks.
CONLUSION:
After meniscal repair 59% healed primarily.
Clinical evaluation in 47% of the clinical healed
cases showed good clinical long-term results.
MRI, however, showed signs of mucoid
degeneration or scar tissue in 41% of the patients,
and in 35% X-ray showed Fairbanks changes.
Although MRI is an ideal diagnostic tool in
discovering meniscal tears, its use in observing
meniscal tear healing is limited, and the
importance of the diagnosed changes is unknown.
INTRODUCTION:
The long-term serious consequences of total
meniscectomies have initiated research for
improved understanding and development of
better methods to treat meniscal tears. By using
more recent knowledge of the meniscal blood