Uğur ÖZDEMİR, Abdulhalim AKAR
Forbes Tıp Dergisi - 2026;7(1):53-59
Objective: The healing rates between isolated meniscus repair and meniscus repair performed concomitantly with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are still a matter of debate. This study aimed to compare the failure rates and clinical outcomes between isolated meniscus repair and simultaneous ACLR. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 59 patients aged <40 years who underwent arthroscopic meniscus repair. Of these, 32 patients underwent isolated meniscal repair, whereas 27 underwent simultaneous ACLR. Patients were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, and thereafter at 6-month intervals for a minimum of 2 years. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed regarding tear type, tear length, or the affected meniscus. Although the distribution of tear zones was greater in the isolated group, favoring zone 2, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.095). The preoperative Lachman test was significantly more frequently positive in patients who underwent simultaneous ACLR (p<0.001). When functional scores were evaluated, the preoperative (p=0.006) and postoperative (p=0.032) Tegner activity scores were significantly higher in the simultaneous ACLR group. The revision surgery rate, an indicator of clinical failure, was higher in isolated group; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance(p=0.060). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the clinical efficacy of meniscus repair is high regardless of whether ACLR is performed, but ACLR may show more favorable trends in some clinical parameters because of its biological and mechanical advantages.
