Evaluation of functional outcome of bucket handle medial meniscus repair along with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Background: Bucket-handle meniscus tears (BHMT) are often displaced and unstable and comprise nearly 10% of all meniscus tears and commonly affect the young male population. Displacement of the free segment can lead to significant pain and disability, necessitating reduction and surgical treatment. The aim of present prospective longitudinal cohort study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of bucket handle medial meniscus repair along with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction at 2 years follow up. Methods: Between January 2017 to December 2018, 30 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction along with bucket handle medial meniscus repair were included in the study. Meniscus repair was done using the all inside, outside in, inside out or hybrid techniques. All patients were evaluated clinically at pre op and at 2 year follow up using knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score and compared. Meniscal healing was assessed clinically using Barrett’s criteria. Results: The study comprised 30 patients with a mean age of 27.47 years (range from 13 to 49 years) with 66.67% males. According to clinical examination and Barrett criteria’s the clinical failure rate was 6.67% (2 out of 30 patients) who underwent partial menisectomy later. We also compared functional outcomes of sedentary and active peoplesand also between meniscal repair of less than 3 cm and more than 3 cm’s. There was no statistically significant difference in the functional outcomes in both the groups; however range of motion was significantly higher in tear length 3 cm or less compared to more than 3 cm. Conclusions: Meniscal repair should be aggressively considered in young pa­tients to enhance functional recovery and durability of the knee joint, if the meniscus is reparable.