PURPOSE: Patient outcomes after meniscal repair and accelerated rehabilitation. METHODS: Between 06/96 and 11/02, 116 patients underwent meniscus refixation. There were 79 men and 37 women with a mean age of 31 years. In 49 patients, the anterior cruciate ligament was deficient. 92 patients had a lesion of the medial, 19 of the lateral meniscus and 5 a combined injury. All patients were managed with different postoperative programs of either accelerated joint mobility and weight-bearing, limited range of motion 0-0-60°, partial weight bearing or postoperative exercise-restricted group. Retrospectively all patients were standardised questioned with a modified Lysholm and Tegner-Score. RESULTS: The success rate was thereby 76% after an average outcome of 52 months (range 14 to 99). 90% were satisfied with the operation and treatment. Eleven repeat surgeries were performed for failure of meniscal healing, two meniscetomies and one irritation of a nerve. 23 patients (26%) had a limited range of motion after surgical treatment. No significant differences where shown between the postoperative rehabilitation groups. It was shown, that the group with isolated meniscal tear had a slightly better postoperative outcome than the group with meniscal tear and combined ACL injury. The rehabilitation group was thereby significantly irrelevant. The mean Lysholm-Score was 91.5. 77% achieved same or better physical ability than preoperative. CONCLUSIONS: Accelerated joint mobility represents significantly no negative effects. After wound healing, an accelerared rehabilitation may be therefore ideal after meniscal surgery. Well-designed, controlled, longitudinal outcome studies for patients who have undergone meniscectomy, meniscal repair, or meniscal reconstruction are lacking.
«PURPOSE: Patient outcomes after meniscal repair and accelerated rehabilitation. METHODS: Between 06/96 and 11/02, 116 patients underwent meniscus refixation. There were 79 men and 37 women with a mean age of 31 years. In 49 patients, the anterior cruciate ligament was deficient. 92 patients had a lesion of the medial, 19 of the lateral meniscus and 5 a combined injury. All patients were managed with different postoperative programs of either accelerated joint mobility and weight-bearing, limited...
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