Minimum 1 Year Results of Arthroscopic Pull-out Repair for Posterior Root Tear of Medial Meniscus / 대한스포츠의학회지

ABSTRACT

This study is to evaluate clinical and arthroscopic second-look results of arthroscopic repairs of posterior root tears of medial meniscus which may cause loss of circumferential hoop tension and extrusion of meniscus. From October 2006 to May 2009, fifty-eight patients (59 knees) underwent arthroscopic pull-out repairs. Clinical results were evaluated using Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score for 12-month follow-up. Second-look arthroscopy was done to evaluate meniscal healing in 21 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to assess status of repaired meniscus and tibial tunnel position in 9 patients. Average preoperative HSS score and IKDC score of 59 cases were 69.5 and 36.0, respectively. Average postoperative HSS score and IKDC score of 59 cases had been changed into 90.3 (p<0.001) and 66.8 (p<0.001), respectively. Second-look arthroscopies revealed complete or incomplete healing except one case. Two patients showed increased one grade according to the Kellgren-Lawrence radiologic classification system and others showed no change. Of 9 patients who performed MRI, six patients showed complete healing. The average position of tibial tunnel was 4.8 mm anterior and 5.7 mm medial to center of posterior cruciate ligament. Arthroscopic pull-out repair technique using transtibial tunnel seems to be simple and effective procedure for posterior root tear of medial meniscus. Further evaluation of arthroscopic repair of posterior root tear of medial meniscus should be needed to prove the effectiveness on the prevention of osteoarthritis of knee.