The choice of meniscus repair technique has effects on long-term outcomes and recovery. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 patients with meniscus injuries who underwent surgical treatment at Yuhuan People’s Hospital, Department of Joint Surgery, from January 2019 to March 2021. Based on the suturing method, patients were assigned into 2 groups: Group A (64 cases, all-inside suturing) and Group B (56 cases, outside-in suturing).
Surgical indicators and adverse events were recorded for both cohorts. The variances in proprioception before and after surgery, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Lysholm scores, knee range of motion (ROM), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores were compared between the 2 groups. Group A had significantly shorter operative time, postoperative immobilization, and hospital stay compared to Group B (P < 0.05). The overall incidence of adverse events was 12.50% in Group A and 16.07% in Group B, with no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05).
There were no substantial differences in preoperative knee proprioception difference values, IKDC scores, Lysholm scores, VAS scores, and knee ROM between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). At 3 months postoperatively, Group A exhibited lower proprioception difference values at 15°C, 45°C, and 75°C angles compared to Group B (P < 0.05). Additionally, at 3 months and 3 years postoperatively, Group A showed higher IKDC scores, Lysholm scores, and ROM and lower VAS scores compared to Group B (P < 0.05). Compared to the outside-in suturing approach, the all-inside suturing method for treating meniscus damage is more effective. It attenuates operative time, postoperative immobilization time, and hospital stay, ameliorates knee proprioception, promotes knee function recovery, alleviates pain, and is safe and reliable.
Source: Jin W, Cai J. The effect and long-term prognosis of different suturing methods for meniscus repair under knee arthroscopy. Ann Ital Chir. 2024;95(5):909-917. doi: 10.62713/aic.3607. Use is per CC BY.
