Background: The efficacy of repeat repair of retorn menisci has not been demonstrated.
Purpose: To document clinical and radiographic results of repeat repair of retorn menisci that had previously undergone primary repair.
Study design: Uncontrolled retrospective review.
Methods: Eighteen consecutive repeat meniscal repairs were performed over an 11-year period.
Results: Fourteen of 18 patients (13 repeat meniscal repairs and 1 second repeat meniscal repair) had clinically intact menisci and were available for a mean follow-up of 7.33 years (range, 3.25 to 13.75). The average durability of the initial repair was 3.46 years (range, 0.17 to 14.67). Five patients sustained a tear at the site of rerepair; one underwent second repeat repair of the meniscus and the other four patients underwent partial meniscectomy. The mean Lysholm score for the remaining 14 patients was 82.1 (range, 38 to 100), and the mean Tegner score was 5.6 (range, 2 to 8). On the International Knee Documentation Committee rating scale, five knees received an overall rating of normal; six, nearly normal; and three, abnormal. Radiographs revealed grade 0 changes (normal) in five of the involved knee compartments and grade I changes (sclerosis or mild narrowing measuring 1 to 2 mm) in the remaining five.
Conclusions: Repeat repair of retorn menisci had a 72% survival rate with relief of symptoms and return to high levels of function.