Summary

RTS rate following meniscal repair in professional baseball players is 74% at an average of 209 days and there was no difference in RTS rates or timing of RTS was observed between players who underwent medial vs. lateral meniscal repair.

Abstract

Background

Meniscal repair is an effective treatment for certain meniscal injuries to preserve meniscal function and limit progression of knee arthritis. Outcomes following meniscal repair in professional baseball players are not well documented

Purpose

Determine performance and return to sport (RTS) rate in professional baseball players following meniscal repair and compare the results of medial vs. lateral meniscal repair

Hypothesis

There will be a high RTS rate in professional baseball players following meniscal repair with no difference in RTS rate or timing of RTS between players who had medial or lateral meniscal repair

Study Design: Case Control (Level III)

Methods

All professional baseball players who underwent a meniscal repair between 2010-2017 were identified using the Major League Baseball (MLB) Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS) database. Demographic and performance data (pre and post injury) for each player were recorded. RTS rate and timing were then compared between players who underwent medial or lateral meniscal repair.

Results

Overall, 31 patients (average age: 24?3, 72% lateral meniscal repairs) were included. Most repairs (60%) were performed using the all-inside technique. Six players (24%) failed and underwent subsequent meniscectomy within 2 years of meniscal repair and were excluded from performance analysis. Of the remaining 25 players, 68% RTS at the same or a higher level of play and 6% of players RTS at a lower level of play. The average number of days missed was 187?67 and time to RTS at full competitive play was 209?84 days. With the numbers available we did not observe a significant difference in RTS rates or timing of RTS between medial vs. lateral meniscal repairs (p=1.000, p=0.574, respectively). When examining pitching performance, players saw a decrease in usage but no change in performance following meniscal repair. Examining batting performance, most metrics were unchanged but there was a significant decrease in base stealing and on-base percentage post-operatively.

Conclusion

RTS rate following meniscal repair in professional baseball players is 74% at an average of 209 days. No difference in RTS rates or timing of RTS was observed between players who underwent medial vs. lateral meniscal repair. 24% of players failed and underwent subsequent meniscectomy within 2 years of repair.