Repair of isolated horizontal meniscal tears with all-inside suture materials using the overlock method: outcome study with a minimum 2-year follow-up

BACKGROUND This study aimed to consider the use of a meniscal repair in patients in order to close the horizontal cleavage extending up to the avascular zone. The hypothesis was to examine the clinical and arthroscopic outcomes following meniscal repair of degenerative horizontal cleavage tears with new-generation all-inside suture materials using the overlock method. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 55 patients which had a horizontal pattern, and finally, 27 patients with a horizontal tear only which required no additional intra-articular surgical intervention were included in the study. Arthroscopic meniscal repair was performed using the overlock method. Functional outcomes were evaluated using Lysholm knee scoring scale, Cincinnati scores, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) criteria and Tegner activity scale. Assessment of meniscal healing was evaluated clinically by the presence of meniscal signs. The preoperative and postoperative MRIs were examined. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 29 months (range, 24-38). The mean Lysholm score improved significantly from 59.5 ± 12.4 points preoperatively to 90.0 ± 4.7 points postoperatively (P < 0.0001). The Cincinnati score increased from 14.8 ± 5.3 to 26.9 ± 1.6 (P < 0.0001). The Tegner activity score increased from 3.7 ± 1.4 to 6.4 ± 1.6 (P < 0.0001). The mean IKDC subjective score also improved significantly from 48.5 ± 9.8 preoperatively to 90.4 ± 5.0 postoperatively (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Meniscal repair of degenerative horizontal tears using the overlock method resulted in improved Lysholm and IKDC subjective scores. With careful selection of the patients and the horizontal meniscus tears, the success of the meniscus repairs increases. Repair can be recommended for all horizontal meniscus tears which can be repaired arthroscopically.