Outcomes after all-inside meniscal repair alone or with ligament reconstruction

Evaluation of Survival and Clinical Outcomes of Patients Treated With Isolated All-inside Meniscal Sutures or With Meniscal Sutures Associated With Ligament Reconstruction

We will see if all-inside meniscal sutures alone or together with ligament reconstruction lead to durable repairs and good knee outcomes in patients aged 12–65 who had meniscal tears.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 300 (estimated)
• Ages: 12 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Bologna)
• Trial ID: NCT07289412 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a retrospective observational analysis of patients who underwent all-inside meniscal repair at IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli between January 1, 2017 and June 30, 2025 with at least two years of follow-up. Patients are grouped by isolated meniscal repair versus meniscal repair performed alongside ligament reconstruction, with meniscal lesion confirmed by preoperative MRI and diagnostic arthroscopy. The study will collect clinical and radiographic follow-up data, revision surgery rates, and time-to-failure, and will use survival analysis to compare failure rates between groups. Outcomes will also consider progression toward osteoarthritis and functional knee measures where available.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 12–65 who had an all-inside meniscal repair (isolated or with ligament reconstruction) at IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli between 01/01/2017 and 06/30/2025, provided consent, had preoperative MRI and at least two years of follow-up, and were active in sports in the two years before surgery.

Not a fit: Patients younger than 12 or older than 65, those with prior meniscal repairs, those who did not provide consent or cannot be contacted, those who were not active in sports before surgery, or those treated with other repair techniques are unlikely to benefit from this analysis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help surgeons choose repair approaches that lower re-tear rates and reduce long-term osteoarthritis risk.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows meniscal repair generally lowers osteoarthritis risk compared with meniscectomy and that all-inside techniques are widely used, but direct long-term comparisons of isolated repairs versus repairs combined with ligament reconstruction are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Both male and female patients.
* Patients who underwent meniscal repair surgery using the all-inside technique for isolated meniscal lesions or lesions associated with ligament injuries between 01/01/2017 and 30/06/2025, with a minimum follow-up of two years.
* Patients aged between 12 and 65 years at the time of surgery.
* Patients who have provided consent to participate in the study.
* Patients who underwent preoperative radiological investigations (MRI) of the affected knee showing meniscal lesions requiring surgical treatment, also confirmed during diagnostic arthroscopy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Meniscal lesions resulting from previous meniscal repairs.
* Patients younger than 12 years or older than 65 years at the time of surgery.
* Patients who did not provide informed consent.
* Patients who are no longer contactable.
* Patients who did not engage in sports activity in the 2 years prior to surgery

Where this trial is running

Bologna

• IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli — Bologna, Italy (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: stefano zaffagnini

Conditions Suture, Complication; Ligament Laceration