Open Meniscus Repair: Indications, Technique, and Results

Abstract

As noted through the work of Fairbank, total meniscectomy is not a benign operation. Cox et al found that meniscectomies in canine knees lead to gross and microscopic degenerative changes. They also noted that partial meniscectomies lead to less severe degenerative changes. They believed that there was a direct relationship between the degree of degenerative change and the amount of meniscus removed. McGinty et al reported early return to function with decreased morbidity and decreased complication rates after partial meniscectomy; this was compared to both open and arthroscopic techniques for total meniscectomy. Jackson and Dandy have documented improved results of partial meniscectomy when compared with total meniscectomy in an intermediate range (average 5 to 10 years) follow-up study. Earlier studies by the senior author, Hamberg et al, and Cassidy and Shaffer have documented that meniscal repairs can heal. The more recent follow-up study of DeHaven et al has documented that repaired menisci not only heal satisfactorily but that durability and biomechanical function can also be maintained. Of course, long-term review of these same patients will be necessary to prove that successful repair will prevent the degenerative changes noted in knees following meniscectomy.