Eight- to 14-year followup of arthroscopic meniscal repair.

The current study aims to elucidate the midterm to long-term progression of arthroscopic meniscal repair which had been confirmed through a second-look arthroscopy at an average of 10 months after repair. Twenty-eight menisci of 28 patients were investigated at 8 to 14 years (mean, 10.2 +/- 1.8 years), eight after isolated meniscal repair (Isolated group) and 20 after concomitant anterior cruciate reconstruction (Anterior cruciate ligament group). All were rated excellent except four that rated good in the anterior cruciate ligament group as indicated by Lysholm's score at followup. None of the Isolated group, but 12 of the Anterior cruciate ligament group, had osteoarthritic changes seen on radiographs. Four and 19, respectively, had increased signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging scans, 10 in the Anterior cruciate ligament group had changes of Grade 3 severity. However, no meniscal signs or symptoms were present and no significant relationship between findings of radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging scans was apparent. Anterior cruciate reconstructed knees that were changed to Grade 3 severity as seen on magnetic resonance imaging scans had higher sagittal instability seen on stress radiography than knees with Grade 2 or less severe changes. The anterior laxity of the knees influenced the severity of meniscal signal changes on the magnetic resonance imaging scans.