J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2015 Oct;50(5):365-371. 10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.5.365.

Arthroscopic Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Repair: Techniques and Current Issues

• Yang JH
• Yoon JR

• KMID: 2185098
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2015.50.5.365

Abstract

Posterior root tears of the medial meniscus are radial tears, usually found in patients older than 50 years with degenerative articular cartilage. Partial menisectomy has been the conventional treatment for this condition. However, growing dissatisfaction with partial menisectomy for medial meniscus root tears has led to an increasing interest in meniscal repair. One method for medial meniscus root repairs involves suturing around the region of the tear where the sutures are pulled-out and fixed around the tibia. In another approach, a suture anchor was used for fixation of the medial meniscus root tear. Both methods improved functional outcome scores at least during a short-term follow-up period. However, complete healing of the repaired root seemed to be less predictable. Strict patient selection, good surgical skills and proper postoperative rehabilitation are the key factors for successful repairs of medial meniscus root tears.

Keyword

knee; medial meniscus; root tear; arthroscopic repair

MeSH Terms

Cartilage, Articular
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Knee
Menisci, Tibial*
Patient Selection
Rehabilitation
Suture Anchors
Sutures
Tears
Tibia

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Method of arthroscopic pull-out repair technique in a right knee. (A, B) Using a suture hook, one PDS (Ethibond, Somerville, NJ, USA) and one Maxon suture were penetrated through the medial meniscus posterior horn. (C) Reduction after tying of sutures. (D) Schematic illustration of pull-out suture repair with cortical screw fixation.

• 

  Figure 2 Schematic illustrations of suture anchor repair techniques for medial meniscus posterior root tears. A suture anchor was located through the posteromedial portal (PM) (A); and knots were pushed down with a knot pusher under adequate reduction and tension (B).

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