OUTSIDE-IN SINGLE LOOP SUTURE TECHNIQUE PROVIDES SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM RESULTS IN PATIENTS TREATED FOR LONGITUDINAL MENISCUS TEARS: AVERAGE 4-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Introduction: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the mid- and long-term follow-up results of the outside-in meniscus repair technique in the treatment of longitudinal meniscus tears. Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for meniscus repair using outside-in meniscus repair technique between June 2010 and June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The range of motion (ROM), the Lysholm Knee Score (LKS) and the Cincinati Knee Rating System (CKRS) were used for postoperative functional assessment. The Henning classification system were used for the radiological evaluations for meniscal healing status. Results: Ninety patients (38F/52M) were included in the study. The mean age was 28.2±6.9 years and the follow-up time was 58.4±38.8 months. The mean LKS increased from 44.1±1.4 to 90.4±8.1 and the mean CKRS score from 19.2±3.5 to 28.1±3.2. (p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively) The McMurray test was found as positive in 62 patients before the operation and in 14 patients at the last examination. According to the Henning classification, improvement was observed in 86 patients. Conclusion: We have found that the radiological and functional results of meniscal repairs performed with the single-loop outside-in repair technique are almost perfect in the majority of patients. Considering our results, we believe that the outside-in repair technique is a method that can be safely used for meniscal body, anterior horn and bucket-handle tears.