Comparative Outcomes of Isolated Lateral Meniscal Repair and Meniscectomy in Professional Soccer Players: Implications for Return to Play, Career Longevity, and Performance

Background: Treating lateral meniscal injuries in elite athletes is challenging because of the high demands on knee function and the need for rapid return to play (RTP). Although meniscal repair is often recommended, data are lacking that compare outcomes of partial meniscectomy and repair in elite athletes with isolated lateral meniscal tears. Purpose: To evaluate subsequent surgery after the treatment of isolated lateral meniscal tears and to compare RTP, career longevity, and performance level between meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy in professional soccer players. Study design: Retrospective case comparative study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on a consecutive series of professional soccer players who underwent partial meniscectomy or meniscal repair for isolated lateral meniscal tears between January 2011 and September 2022 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The groups were compared for age, tear configuration, tear location, subsequent surgery, RTP rates, career longevity, and performance level. Repair failure was defined as the need for additional surgery to address a recurrent or persistent meniscal tear after the initial repair or not returning to play. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate career longevity based on treatment modality, adjusting for age. Conclusion: Partial meniscectomy and repair achieve high RTP rates, with meniscectomy allowing a faster RTP. While 15% of meniscal repairs failed, rates of subsequent surgery and 5- and 10-year professional sport participation did not differ significantly from those after partial meniscectomy, although the lack of statistical significance may be due to the limited sample size. Hence, partial meniscectomy for isolated lateral meniscal tears may be acceptable in carefully selected patients with proper management and recovery.