2ND-LOOK ARTHROSCOPY AFTER MENISCAL REPAIR - REVIEW OF 132 MENISCI REPAIRED BY AN ARTHROSCOPIC INSIDE-OUT TECHNIQUE

From 1986 to 1993, we repaired 278 torn menisci in 264 patients using an arthroscopically assisted inside-out technique, A total of 132 meni scal repairs in 122 patients were evaluated by second-look arthroscopy At review, only nine patients had meniscal symptoms, such as locking, swelling or pain. Ninety-seven menisci (73%) had healed completely at the repair site, but there were new tears in different areas of 21 me nisci, some of which had complete healing at the repair site, Incomple te healing, seen in 23 menisci (17%), was frequently near the popliteu s tendon, most commonly where there had been an associated anterior-cr uciate-ligament injury. Arthroscopically-assisted meniscal repair seem s to be a reliable procedure, but some clinically successful cases had incomplete healing at the repair site or a newly-formed tear in the m eniscal body or both, These lesions may cause meniscal symptoms to app ear at a later date.