Use of an Accessory Anteromedial Portal to Facilitate Repair of Mid-Body Radial Tears of the Lateral Meniscus in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Meniscal tears in adolescent patients are commonly treated with repair to preserve meniscal tissue and prevent future degenerative changes. Historically, meniscal tears best suited for repair are acute vertical tears in patients aged <40 years with a normal mechanical axis, >1 cm and <4 cm in size, within the red–red zone, and concurrent with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, with continued advancements in technology and the development of new techniques, the possibilities and indications for meniscal repair have broadened. This paper presents the use of an accessory medial portal to facilitate the repair of radial tears of the mid-body of the lateral meniscus. Previous techniques described include all-inside, outside-in, and inside-out repairs, but these techniques can be challenging to achieve optimal simultaneous meniscus reduction, visualization, and suture trajectory. In this Technical Note, we describe the use of an inside-out technique, with emphasis on an accessory anteromedial portal to improve visualization and suture trajectory.