Outcomes of arthroscopic meniscal repair versus partial meniscectomy on knee function and quality of life in middle-aged and elderly patients: a retrospective control study of 80 cases

BACKGROUND: Meniscal tears are common knee injuries in middle-aged and elderly patients. Treatment options include arthroscopic meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy. This study compared the efficacy of these procedures on knee function and quality of life in patients aged 45-75 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 80 patients treated between January 2020 and December 2022 (repair group: n = 40; partial meniscectomy group: n = 40). Propensity score adjustment was used to control for confounding variables. Primary outcomes included Lysholm knee score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire at baseline, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, range of motion, and complication rates. RESULTS: At 12 months, the repair group had significantly higher Lysholm (88.2 ± 5.4 vs. 82.6 ± 6.3, p = 0.012) and IKDC scores (84.5 ± 6.7 vs. 77.8 ± 7.2, p = 0.008), better WOMAC scores (16.2 ± 4.5 vs. 22.7 ± 5.1, p = 0.003) and SF-36 physical scores (46.8 ± 4.3 vs. 42.1 ± 4.8, p = 0.015), and lower VAS pain (1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 2.6 ± 1.0, p = 0.023) compared to partial meniscectomy. Radiographic osteoarthritis progression was lower in the repair group (12.5% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic meniscal repair provides superior knee function, less pain, improved quality of life, and may reduce osteoarthritis progression in selected middle-aged and elderly patients with peripheral meniscal tears and minimal chondral damage. Preservation of meniscal tissue should be considered when technically feasible.