PDF icon Download PDF
J Knee Surg 2021; 34(02): 137-141
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1694042
Original Article

An Analysis of Symptomatic Meniscal Re-Tear Incidence in Two Age Populations: Differences in Older versus Younger Adults

Marc R. Labbe
1   Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jackson, Mississippi
,
Randa K. Elmallah
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
,
Benjamin M. Albert
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
,
Lacy Malloch
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
,
LaRita C. Jones
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
,
William H. Replogle
3   Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
,
Gene R. Barrett
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
› Further Information
   Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

A symptomatic meniscal tear is one of the most common problems treated by an orthopaedic surgeon. Treatment ranges from observation to complete meniscectomy. Prior research has shown that contact stresses increase within the joint compartment after partial meniscectomy, thus leading to arthritis of the compartment. The purpose of the current study was to determine the incidence of meniscal re-tears in two populations of patients and identify potential factors predisposing to re-tear. A retrospective review of our relational database identified 1,930 arthroscopic partial meniscectomies from 1993 to 2003. Meniscectomies were divided into two groups, 430 patients < 45 years of age (YOUNG) and 712 patients ≥ 45 (OLD). Age, onset date, Lysholm, Tegner, tear type, radial and circumferential location, as well as degree and location of chondromalacia, were analyzed. Of the YOUNG group, 1.16% experienced re-tears, versus 0.42% of the OLD group. From the younger re-tear group, 80% were chronic and 20% had grade 2 chondromalacia in one compartment. The YOUNG re-tear group was slightly more active with higher Tegner (5.6 vs. 4.3) and Lysholm (66.2 vs. 60) scores than the rest of the YOUNG group. The OLD re-tear group was less active with a lower Tegner (2.5 vs. 4.1) and Lysholm (62 vs. 66) score compared with the rest of the older group. In this study, patients under 45 years and with chronic tears had slightly higher incidence of re-tears. Results indicated that the lateral meniscus is more likely to re-tear.

Keywords

symptomatic meniscal re-tear - meniscectomy - radial zone - circumferential zone

Note

Institutional Review Board approval was obtained via the Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center before any study activities were executed.




Publication History

Received: 05 November 2018

Accepted: 18 June 2019

Article published online:
07 August 2019

© 2019. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA