Survey Results Concerning Current Trends in Meniscus Repair Indications and Preferences from Members of the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) Society

Abstract

Background: Meniscus repair has increased in frequency, especially among surgeons who focus on youth sports injuries. Purpose: To determine current trends in meniscus repair amongst a specific subset of meniscus repair surgeons. Study Design: Cross-Sectional Survey Study Methods: A survey comprised of several clinical vignettes was administered to orthopedic surgeon members of the Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine (PRiSM) society to investigate surgeon experience and training, number of meniscus repair procedures performed, as well as surgical and rehabilitation preferences. Statistical analysis of the responses was performed to determine associations between years in practice or type of fellowship training vs. number of meniscus repair procedures performed, surgical indications, and rehabilitation preferences. Results: The response rate to various questions ranged from 61.5% (59/96) to 63.5% (61/96). In all vignettes, a majority favored repair as well as some degree of weight-bearing and range of motion restrictions. Surgeons who had been in practice for 6-10 years performed significantly more meniscus repairs per year than those in practice for > 20 years (p = 0.009) and those in practice 0-5 years (p = 0.05). Surgeons who had been in practice > 20 years performed a significantly higher percentage of meniscectomies relative to meniscus repairs, compared to those in practice for 0-5 years (p = 0.002) or 6-10 years (p = 0.0003). When years in practice was grouped into < 10 years and > 10 years, surgeons in practice < 10 years performed a significantly higher percentage of meniscus repairs relative to meniscectomies, compared to surgeons in practice > 10 years (p <0.0001). Conclusions: Surgeons with fewer years in practice are more likely to perform meniscus repair than meniscectomy, but all surgeons surveyed had a general preference for repair in all clinical vignettes. Repair technique preferences as well as rehabilitation protocols varied widely among surgeons. Key Terms: Meniscus repair, meniscectomy, all inside meniscus repair, inside out meniscus repair, outside in meniscus repair