Short-Term Clinical Results Of Meniscus Repair Using The RAPIDLOC Meniscal Repair System

PART ONE SHORT—TERM CLINICAL RESULTS OF MENISCUS REPAIR USING THE RAPIDLOC MENISCAL REPAIR SYSTEMPurpose: To investigate the clinical results and complications of the RAPIDLOC meniscal Repair System for 60 patients.Methods: A short term retrospective review of a consecutive series of meniscal repairs performed by a single surgeon using the RAPIDLOC meniscal Repair System. Between July 2006 and December 2007, 60 patients underwent meniscus repair. The clinical results of menisci repair was observed in accordance to symptoms, physical signs, Tegner scores and Lysholm scores. Post--operative complications were also observed.Results: The mean follow--up period was 7.0±1.8 months for all the patients. Paired t-test showed that post--operative Tegner score (6.9±2.2) was significantly higher than that of pre—operative (3.2±2.3)(P<0.001). Pre--operative Lysholm score (30.1±18.2) was significantly lower than that of post—operative (87.5±22.7) (P<0.001). Results of meniscus repairing showed 46 excellent (76.67%), 7 good (11.67%), 7 satisfactory (11.67%), and 0 poor (0%). Total excellent and good result was 88.3%. No serious blood vessel and nerve injuries were found post--operatively.Conclusion: This study shows a high clinical success rate and less post--operative complications of meniscus repair using the RAPIDLOC meniscal Repair System. PART TWO ARTHROSCOPIC MENISCAL REPAIR WITH RAPIDLOC: A SHORT-TERM COMPARATIVE STUDY IN PATIENTS OF CARTILAGE DAMAGE LESS THAN GRADEⅣPurpose: To evaluate the clinical results of the RAPIDLOC meniscal Repair System in patients of cartilage damage less than gradeⅣ.Methods: A short term retrospective review of a consecutive series of meniscal repairs performed by a single surgeon using the RAPIDLOC meniscal Repair System. Between July 2006 and May 2007, 38 patients underwent meniscus repair. All the patients were divided into two groups. Group A corresponds to the patients who meet the criteria of normal cartilage or cartilage damage grade I in arthroscopy diagnosed, and Group B corresponds to cartilage damage grade II to III in arthroscopy diagnosed. Clinical results were noted, and Lysholm and Tegner scores subjectively evaluated knee function.Results: There were 22 patients in group A, 16 patients were in group B. The mean follow-up period was 6.5 months for group A (range 4–10 months), 6.8 months for group B (range 4.5–9 months). The success rate in group A was 90.9%, and 87.5% in Group B. At follow-up, the mean Tegner score was 7.3±2.5 (3.5±1.6 preoperative), Lysholm score was 88.6±25.5 (35.1±14.6 preoperative) in Group A. In Group B, the the mean Tegner score was 6.8±2.1 (3.3±2.3 preoperative), Lysholm score was 87.8±22.5 (30.5±17.8 preoperative). The difference was not statistically significant in comparison with the two groupsConclusion: This study shows a high clinical success rate of meniscus repair with the RAPIDLOC meniscal Repair System in cartilage damage level less than gradeⅣ.