All-inside meniscal repair using the RapidLoc device

Abstract

Although conventional suture techniques yield satisfactory results in the treatment of meniscal ruptures, they are inherent with long operative time and high complication rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of meniscal repair with the use of the RapidLoc device. The study included 57 consecutive patients (all males; mean age 24 years; range 17 to 33 years) who underwent meniscal repair with the RapidLoc device. The mean time from injury to surgery was 20 days (range 7 to 60 days). The mean length of meniscal ruptures was 25 mm (range 10 to 35 mm). A mean of two RapidLoc fixators were used for each rupture. Thirty patients had associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture; of whom 17 patients underwent ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts. Thirteen patients refused ACL reconstruction and underwent only meniscal repair. Functional results were evaluated using the Tegner activity score, Lysholm score, and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) subjective knee evaluation form. Clinical assessments were made using the Barrett criteria. The mean follow-up was 39 months (range 18 to 66 months). The mean operation time including diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy was 25 minutes (range 15 to 35 min). Compared to the preoperative scores, all functional scores showed significant improvements (p<0.001) with the following increases: Lysholm score from 58.8 + or - 13.7 to 93.3 + or - 7.7, Tegner activity score from 3.5 + or - 1.0 to 6.0 + or - 1.6, and IKDC score from 52.8 + or - 10.5 to 91.4 + or - 4.0. According to the Barrett criteria, meniscal healing was achieved in all the patients. Second-look arthroscopy was performed in one patient due to pain and swelling, which showed an unabsorbed tophat of the RapidLoc device. Our findings suggest that the RapidLoc meniscal repair device may be an appropriate choice in selected cases because of satisfactory short-term clinical results, ease of applicability, short operation time, and low complication rate.