Summary

Clinical Outcomes of Meniscal Repair

Abstract

Introduction

Meniscal injuries are the most common pathologies in the knee, with degenerative and traumatic causes being the most frequent causes. Arthroscopic meniscal repair techniques, which would leave the meniscus at the same level as before the injury. It is expected for different condition of patient and their work activities and sporting activities, the result should be changing in the pass of time.
Objectives: To analyze clinical outcomes obtained in patients operated on with arthroscopic meniscal repair all inside, outside inside and mixed , in the city of Viña del Mar, Chile, between 2019 and 2020, using a validated form (KOOS questionnaire), comparing the preoperative and postoperative, with a 2 and 4 year follow-up.

Material And Method

Primary, descriptive and prospective study of patients operated on for isolated suturable meniscal tears, using the all-in arthroscopic technique (Fast-Fix 360 device) and/or outside-in (Ultrabraid high-strength suture), performed by 2 surgeons, standardized technique, since January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, and with at least 4 year of follow-up. A non-probabilistic sampling was carried out and it was analyzed using Excel 365. The patients were evaluated by KOOS in the preoperative and postoperative periods. Following up comparative at 2 and 4 years.
Result: The total number of patients was 107, 14 patients were lost and the final sample after 4 years was 30 who met the inclusion criteria. With an average follow-up of 52.5 months (48 and 56 months), average age 39.4 years, 58.1% male, the internal meniscus was the most repaired 80.6%. The average preoperative KOOS score was 33.6 points (bad), while the postoperative score at 4 years was 81 points (good). In the detail of the categories, preoperative patients presented a regular category score in 16.7%(5) and poor in 83.3%(25). While the post-operative categories were excellent 53.3% (16), good 33.3%(10), regular 13.3% (4) and none in the bad category. 2 years later the study group changed to excellent 46.7%(14), good 33.3%(10), regular 20.0% (6) and none in the bad category. 4 years later the study group changed to excellent 43.3%(13), good 33.3%(10), regular 20.0%(6) and 3,33%(1) in the bad category.

Discussion

The patients presented epidemiological characteristics and results similar to international publications, where they obtained GOOD and EXCELLENT degrees of clinical outcomes in preoperative and postoperative KOOS scores, with a minimum follow-up of 48 months. Two categories are improved in overall patient satisfaction with meniscal repair postoperatively, as well as follow-up to 2 and 4 years. 4 years later, the study group maintains the same category, slowly decreasing its indicators to time, but not to statistically significant.
It is very important to maintain recruitment in the future, and to continue prospectively applying the satisfaction scores. work today also acquires greater relevance, considering that Chile does not have a similar publication.