Repair of Radial Tears and Posterior Horn Detachments of the Lateral Meniscus: Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up

Purpose

The aim of this study was to show that repair of posterior radial tears and horn detachments of the lateral meniscus is possible and to assess the outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective review of 24 patients who had repair of a posterior defunctioning tear of the lateral meniscus combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was undertaken. Patients completed a follow-up postal questionnaire that included Lysholm, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Tegner scoring systems.

Results

Eight patients had suture repair of a lateral meniscal radial tear. The mean Lysholm, IKDC, and Tegner scores were 86.9 (SD, 11.6), 81.6 (SD, 13.9), and 5.8 (SD, 2.7), respectively, at a mean follow-up of 70.5 months (range, 29.0 to 168.0 months). Subsequent arthroscopy in 2 patients confirmed meniscal healing. Sixteen patients underwent a posterior horn reattachment. The mean Lysholm, subjective IKDC, and Tegner scores were 86.1 (SD, 13.3), 84.3 (SD, 17.0), and 6.5 (SD, 2.1), respectively, at a mean follow-up of 53.6 months (range, 26.0 to 116.0 months). Three patients had subsequent magnetic resonance imaging and/or arthroscopy that indicated meniscal healing. Two further patients had reinjury, and magnetic resonance imaging and/or arthroscopy showed that their repairs had failed.

Conclusions

Posterior radial tears that extend to the capsule and posterior horn detachments of the lateral meniscus are frequently amenable to repair. In this study 22 of 24 repairs functioned successfully over a mean follow-up of 58.6 months (range, 26.0 to 168.0 months).

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.