Review of the clinical results of arthroscopic meniscal repair.

A total of 62 arthroscopic meniscal repairs (60 knees in 59 patients) over a 5-year period were evaluated retrospectively to assess outcome and to identify factors that might improve future clinical results. The overall success rate was 66.1%. Early repair within 3 months of sustaining the tear gave better results (91%) than if carried out later (58%). Suture repair alone yielded better results (78%) than meniscal arrows or a T-fix device (56%). Healing rates of atraumatic meniscus tears were much lower than for traumatic tears (42 vs. 73%). The isolated atraumatic medial meniscal tear appeared to do particularly poorly (33% healing) and may be better treated by meniscectomy.