A known technique for meniscal repair in common practice.

In this retrospective study, we calculated the healing rate of meniscal repairs performed with an outside-in technique. We describe complications encountered and evaluate some known criteria used in the decision to perform a meniscal repair instead of partial meniscectomy. Included is a brief description of the surgical technique and of the trauma type and the meniscal lesions that were repaired. The technique has a high degree of success (74% of the meniscal repairs survived during a mean follow-up of 3.5 years). Although there is a 25% complication rate, no serious or permanent complications were added by repairing menisci instead of performing a partial meniscectomy. For this reason we think saving even a relatively low percentage of menisci may be worthwhile. We can also conclude that an anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knee that is stable can still have a good result in meniscal repair, without performing cruciate reconstruction. In each case, however, individual patient issues such as age, activity level, and associated lesions have to be considered.