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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 84-B, Issue 1, 34-37.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.84B1.11254  
Copyright © 2002 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
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Repeat tears of repaired menisci after arthroscopic confirmation of healing

M. Kurosaka, MD, Professor and Chairman1; S. Yoshiya, MD, Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon2; R. Kuroda, MD, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon1; N. Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor1; T. Yamamoto, MD, Associate Professor1; and J. Tanaka, MD, Associate Professor3

1 Kobe University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan.
2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Meiwa Hospital, 4-31 Agenaruo, Nishinomiya, Japan.
3 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Japan.

Correspondence should be sent to Dr M. Kurosaka.

We undertook 114 arthroscopic meniscal repairs in 111 patients and subsequently carried out second-look arthroscopy to confirm meniscal healing at a mean of 13 months after repair. Stable healing at the repaired site was seen in 90. Of these, however, 13 had another arthroscopy later for a further tear. The mean period between the repair and the observation of a repeat tear was 48 months. Of the 13 patients, 11 had returned to high activity levels (International Knee Documentation Committee level I or II) after the repair.

An attempt should be made to preserve meniscal function by repairing tears, but even after arthroscopic confirmation of stable healing repaired menisci may tear again. The long-term rate of healing may not be as high as is currently reported. Second-look arthroscopy cannot predict late meniscal failure and may not be justified as a method of assessment for meniscal healing. Young patients engaged in arduous sporting activities should be reviewed regularly even after arthroscopic confirmation of healing.






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Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General