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MR-arthrography assessment after repair of chronic meniscal tears

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The aims of this study were to assess the healing rate of repair of chronically torn meniscal tear with MR-arthrography and to evaluate the relationship between the clinical and the radiographic outcomes and the impact of the meniscal section on healing.

Methods

MR-arthrography was performed at a median of 10.5 months (range 6–55) after surgery in 28 patients and healing assessed using Henning’s criteria. All lesions were chronic (>3 months). Repairs were carried out at a median 14 months (range 6–80) from initial diagnosis. Eleven patients (39 %) had ACL ligament reconstruction as well. All lesions were located in the red or red–white zone. Patients were followed for a median of 18.5 months (range 8–68). Functional outcomes were evaluated using Barrett’s healing criteria, Lysholm and Tegner score pre- and postoperatively.

Results

Clinical healing of the lesion according to Barrett’s criteria was achieved in 24 patients (85.7 %). Both Lysholm and Tegner scores improved significantly after the surgery (p < 0.05). According to Henning’s criteria, 15 of the menisci healed completely (53.5 %), 10 partially (35.7 %) and 3 failed (10.8 %). There was no significant difference between the healing process in the posterior horn and the body of the meniscus (n.s.). No correlation was found between the healing results and the clinical scores. ACL reconstruction did not influence the healing process (n.s.). Patients waiting more than 1 year from lesion to surgery seem to have a higher rate of failure (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The results found suggest good short-term clinical and anatomic outcomes post-repair of meniscal lesions, despite their chronic nature. Longer waiting times may have negative effects on the healing process. Partial healing occurred often, but the meniscus was painless and stable.

Level of evidence

Retrospective case series, Level IV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Knee Unit, Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Hospital Clínic, C/Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain

    Dragos Popescu, Sergi Sastre & Diego Reategui

  2. Radiology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain

    Ana Isabel Garcia & Xavier Tomas

  3. Surgery Department, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Miguel Caballero

Authors
  1. Dragos Popescu
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  2. Sergi Sastre
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  3. Ana Isabel Garcia
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  4. Xavier Tomas
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  5. Diego Reategui
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  6. Miguel Caballero
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Correspondence to Dragos Popescu.

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Popescu, D., Sastre, S., Garcia, A.I. et al. MR-arthrography assessment after repair of chronic meniscal tears. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 23, 171–177 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2552-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2552-6

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