Incidence and Risk Factors for Reoperation Following Meniscal Repair in a Military Population

The purpose of this study is to determine the reoperation rate following meniscal repair and the associated risk factors. The Military Health System Data Repository was queried for active duty patients between January 2009 and December 2012 undergoing meniscal repair by Current Procedural Terminology code (29882, 29883, and 27403). This cohort was then screened for subsequent procedures following the index procedure. Risk factors for reoperation were calculated using a Cox proportional hazard analysis. A total of 3259 primary meniscal repairs were identified over the study period, of which 1423 (43.7%) were performed in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The reoperation rate was 13.6%, occurring at a median of 1.1 years following the index procedure. Marine Corps service, younger age (<35), enlisted or cadet rank, and junior rank status were identified as significant risk factors for requiring reoperation. Isolated repairs were significantly more likely to require a secondary procedure than those with concomitant ACL reconstruction. Meniscal repairs performed in the military demonstrate similar reoperation rates as published literature despite increased occupational demands. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(1):47–51, 2018) Key words: failure, meniscus repair, meniscus tear, military, reoperation