We identified 24 patients who underwent repair of a torn meniscus before having their ACL reconstruction (group 1). As a comparison group we identified 148 patients who underwent meniscal repair at the time of ACL reconstruction (group 2).
Twelve of the patients in group 1 underwent meniscectomy, seven at the time of reconstruction and five subsequently. This gives a success rate of 50%(12/24) in the ACL deficient patients. In comparison forty two of the patients in group 2 went on to have a meniscectomy representing a success of 72%(106/148). The odds ratio for meniscectomy in an ACL deficient meniscal repair is 2.52 (95%CI 1.07-5.97) and there is a relative risk of 1.76 (95%CI 1.05-2.63). The difference in success of the meniscal repair between the groups was significant (Fisher's exact test p = 0.05).
Meniscal repair and delayed ACL reconstruction is more likely to fail than a combined repair and ACL reconstruction.