Background
The all-inside technique is now the most established treatment for meniscal repair, this usually involves a suture-based repair utilising interrupted sutures. A similar technique using continuous sutures can also be used; however there are no studies in the literature appraising this technique. This study aims to review outcomes for patients undergoing meniscal repair using a continuous suture all-inside technique.
Methods
We reviewed patients undergoing meniscal repair using a continuous suture all-inside technique over a 5 year period. We recorded demographic details, injury type, surgical procedure, incidence of reoperation, functional outcomes (Tegner–Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score) return to sport and failure of repair.
Results
Data were collected for 37 patients. Mean age was 25.8 years, 81%, were male, median time to theatre was 169 days, mean follow-up time was 2.9 years. Concurrent ACL ruptures were present in 57%, all underwent ACL reconstruction in the same sitting. The mean Tegner–Lysholm score was 89. Mean IKDC score was 90.2. 78% were able to return to sport. Overall failure rate was 10.81%. Increasing age was associated with a decreased IKDC score (p = 0.02). Tegner–Lysholm score was significantly greater in patients with concurrent ACL injuries (p = 0.03) and patients with lateral meniscal tears (p = 0.04).
Conclusion
In the first study to review outcomes following continuous all-inside suture-based meniscal repair we demonstrate excellent clinical outcomes with IKDC, Tegner–Lysholm, return to play and failure rates comparable to other commonly used techniques. We conclude that this is an acceptable and cost-effective technique.
