Abstract
The purposes of this study were to assess arthroscopically the results of meniscal suturing and analyze the predictive factors affecting meniscal healing.
Forty-two torn menisci in 41 patients (range 13-47 years, average 24 years, Male/Female: 18/23) treated arthroscopically. The meniscal sutures were evaluated by second-look arthroscopy at 22 months postoperatively. The interval between the injury and the time of surgery ranged from 2 weeks to 15 years. There were 19 lateral and 23 medial meniscal tears associated with 30 anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The length of the tears ranged from 6 to 30 mm (mean,17 mm). The distance from the capsule to the tear ranged from 0 to 4 mm (mean, 1.8 mm).
Clinically, 37 patients (90%) had no symptoms at follow-up. Twenty-four menisci (57%) healed completely (wi thout a marked visible unhealed area), 14 (33%) healed incompletely, and 4 (10%) showed no evidence of healing. There were no relationships between outcome and age, gender, injured side, or time from injury to suturing. Both the distance from the capsule to the tear and the length of the tear were longer in the unhealed menisci. Stable knees after the ACL reconstruction had a high healing rate.
In conclusion, the healing potential of the meniscal suturing seems to be affected by the distance from the capsule to the tear site, tear length, and knee joint stability.
