Paper 32: Meniscus Repair Outcomes and Reoperation Rate in Patients Over the Age of 40
Authors: Berk Alexander , Duethman Nicholas , Odum Susan , Trofa David , Piasecki Dana , Cregar William , Fleischli James , Saltzman Brian , Meade Joshua 
Published: August 2023

Objectives:

Meniscus injuries remain a common source of morbidity in patients over the age of 40. Historically, meniscus injuries in this age group have been treated non-operatively or with surgical management limited to debridement procedures. There is strong evidence for repair over meniscectomy in younger patients, however literature remains sparce regarding repair outcomes and re-operation rates for patients over the age of 40. The objectives of this study were to document patient reported outcomes, complications, and re-operation rates for meniscus repairs in patients above the age of 40 and determine what patient demographics or injury characteristics correlated with reoperation.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single academic institution after obtaining IRB approval. An initial query of patients over the age of 40, was performed via the CPT code 29882. Inclusion criteria consisted of patient age greater than 40 at time of initial meniscal repair. Exclusion criteria consisted of prior surgery in the ipsilateral knee, meniscal root repair, septic arthritis postoperatively, and any form of knee trauma postoperatively. Patients that met inclusion criteria were chart reviewed for relevant data including demographic information, comorbidities, surgical procedure information such as type of implant used, laterality of meniscus tear, type of tear and pattern, and revision/re-operation data. Patients were then contacted to answer full 100-point KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) questionnaires.

Results:

413 total patients met inclusion criteria. The average age at time of surgery was 46 years (IQR, 43-51), and 214 patients were female (51.8%). KOOS scores were reported at a median follow-up of 24-months (IQR, 3-62). Median symptom, pain, activity of daily living (ADL), sport, and quality of life (QoL) subscales were reported as 78.6 (IQR, 60.7-92.9), 87.5 (IQR, 69.4-97.2), 94.1 (IQR, 82-100), 80.0 (IQR, 55-95), and 68.8 (IQR, 40.6-81.3), respectively. A total of 74 patients underwent reoperation (17.8%). There was no significant difference in reoperation rates when stratified by age group (40-49, 50-59, 60-69) (p=0.515). Reoperation rates were not affected by type of implant used for initial meniscus repair (Fast-fix anchor, Omnispan meniscal anchor, Meniscal cinch implant, Fiberwire, MaxBraid suture, Ethibond suture, PDS suture or Bionics meniscal arrow) (p>0.7). Average number of all-inside anchors used for repair was 2 (IQR, 2-3) and did not correlate with reoperation (p=0.49). Location of initial meniscus tear (body or posterior horn) and tear pattern did not correlate with reoperation rates (p>0.36, p>0.28 respectively). A total of 47 patients complained of postoperative stiffness, of which 28 (6.7%) underwent lysis of adhesions and/or arthroscopic debridement (p=.042). Twenty-five patients sustained a meniscal re-tear or injury, of which 17 underwent reoperation with partial or total meniscectomy. Of the total patient cohort, only seven patients ultimately went on to require ipsilateral total knee arthroplasty (1.6%).

Conclusions:

Patients over the age of 40 who underwent meniscus repair showed favorable reported outcomes at a mean 2-year follow-up. Reoperation rates were associated with postoperative stiffness and repeat injury. Re-operation rates in patients over 40 are comparable to reported rates of younger patients who undergo meniscus repair.