Meniscal tears in children and adolescents: results of operative treatment

The goal of this study was to evaluate the results of meniscal repair in children and adolescents by a retrospective case series. Twelve arthroscopic-assisted meniscal repairs were performed on 12 patients younger than 17 years of age (8-16 years, mean 13 years). The anterior cruciate ligament was torn in three cases. Eight lesions involved the lateral meniscus and four involved the medial meniscus; there were no discoid menisci. All patients were seen at an average of 3 years 1 month follow-up (range, 2-4 years 10 months). Three patients required subsequent surgery for partial meniscectomy. We evaluated the remaining nine patients by clinical examination, International Knee Documentation Committee clinical score, Lysholm score, Tegner's activity, and by computed tomography arthrogram or magnetic resonance imaging. Seven patients were asymptomatic at follow-up, two reported occasional pain, and none had experienced symptoms of locking. Their average Lysholm score and Tegner's activity were 96.3 and 6.6, respectively. Eight patients were International Knee Documentation Committee A and one was International Knee Documentation Committee B. Healing status was assessed at follow-up in eight patients by computed tomography arthrogram or magnetic resonance imaging: the tear was considered as completely healed in three patients. The apparent failure rate was 66%. Indications for meniscal repair in children are not actually established. The pejorative outcome of meniscectomy at a young age has led us to consider symptomatic meniscal tears for repair. Objective results of meniscal healing are poor. The method to assess healing of the repaired menisci objectively is still a matter of debate.