Meniscal Suture Research Articles

Prevalence, Development, and Factors Associated with Cyst Formation after Meniscal Repair with the All-Inside Suture Device

Aims and Objectives:The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of cyst formation as a complication of all-inside meniscal suture device using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analyze the risk factors.Materials and Methods:Of the patients who had undergone meniscal repair surgery 46 cases (46 knees) were selected to be in the case-control study. 51 menisci (34 medial menisci, 17 lateral menisci) of 46 cases were included to the study. Out of 51 menisci, 46 menisci combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and had performed ACL reconstruction (ACLR). 5 cases (5 menisci) had been performed meniscal repair (MR). MRIs of the knee were performed 6, 12 and 24 months post-meniscal surgery. The MRIs were examined to detect the new development of cysts encasing the suture anchors and evaluate meniscal healing. Univariate and multivariate risk factor analyses was used to account for the suture technique (suture device alone versus suture device and inside-out suture repair), concurrent operation (MR alone versus MR with ACL reconstruction), patient gender, medial versus lateral menisci, number of device use, side-to-side difference of knee arthrometer, type of anchor (acetal resin versus PEEK material) and clinical scores (Lysholm score, Tegner activity scale, IKDC score).Results:MRI examinations revealed cyst formation in 15 of 51 menisci. 3 menisci were detected cyst formation at 6 months of surgery, 9 at 12 months and 3 at 24 months. Only 3 patients (6.5%) were symptomatic. Tecxhniques using suture device alone was more likely to develop cysts: odds ratio (OR) was 10.67 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25 to 91.41). Medial meniscus statistically tended to develop cyst compared with lateral meniscus and OR was 7.92 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 51.07). Patients who have instability (side-to-side difference of knee arthrometer > 3mm) are more likely to develop cysts than that ofless than or equal to 3mm (p = 0.06).Conclusion:This study revealed the risk factors and prevalence rate for cyst formation after using the all-inside meniscal suture device. The prevalence rate of cyst formation around suture implant was 29%, however most cases didn’t have any symptoms. Suture device only and medial meniscus were significant risk factors for cyst formation. Knee instability was greater in the cyst developed menisci though it was not significant, which suggested that knee instability could affect cyst formation around suture anchors.

Risk of arthrofibrosis in anatomical anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: the role of timing and meniscus suture.

The optimal timing of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains controversial. Several studies have shown that early surgery leads to an increased rate of arthrofibrosis and poorer postoperative function. Other studies found no correlation between time of surgery and arthrofibrosis. The influence of simultaneous meniscus treatment is also discussed. Aim of this study was to ascertain whether the timing of surgery and treatment of meniscus influences the occurrence rate of arthrofibrosis. Two hundred and six patients could be included. These were split into two groups. Group 1: surgery within 6weeks after ACL rupture (n = 68), group 2: surgery after more than 6weeks (n = 68). In addition, 2 matched groups were created (n =138 ). Follow-up was 12months after surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of subsequent arthrofibrosis procedures (arthroscopic arthrolysis). Secondary endpoints were knee function (knee osteoarthritis outcome score: KOOS), knee pain (numeric rating scale: NRS) and patient satisfaction measured on a 5 point Likert scale. In 6 of the 68 patients in group 1 (8.8%) and 3 of the 138 patients in group 2 (2.2%) a subsequent arthroscopic arthrolysis was performed (OR 4.4). A simultaneous meniscal suture was performed in 58 patients (30 of them in group 1). Five of the six patients with subsequent arthrolysis in group 1 received meniscal repair (OR for arthrolysis 3.4). There was no difference between the groups in terms of knee function (KOOS), pain (NRS) and patient satisfaction. The rate of subsequent arthroscopic arthrolysis was higher in the acute surgery group. However, most of these subsequent procedures were associated with meniscal repair at index surgery with a more restrictive rehabilitation protocol than after ACL reconstruction without meniscus repair. This allows the assessment that the meniscal suturing poses an increased risk. Therefore, this allows the conclusion that if using an anatomical surgical technique and considering the signs of inflammation with effusion, pain and movement deficit less than 90° there is no increased risk of arthrofibrosis.

How to Perform a Giant Parameniscal Cyst Exeresis: Step by Step Technique

Parameniscal cysts are usually small cystic lesions, less than 2 cm in size, found along the meniscal periphery. They are rarely associated with extra-articular palpable mass. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic method of choice; giant meniscal cysts (>5 cm at its greatest diameter) are very rare, with few cases described in the literature. We describe a step-by-step open exeresis and arthroscopic meniscal suture technique for the treatment of a 9-cm giant parameniscal cyst located on the lateral side of the knee. Treatment of giant meniscal lesions requires caution during dissection and exeresis. Because acute meniscal lesions benefit from meniscal suture rather than meniscectomy, horizontal degenerative lesions may also present excellent results with repair techniques. We conclude that the combination of the open excision of the giant cyst with careful dissection and protection of neurovascular structures, combined with the arthroscopic meniscal suture, is a good strategy to approach such lesions.

The Biomechanical Performance of the Latest All-Inside Meniscal Repair Devices

To evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of recently introduced meniscal repair devices with a hand-tied, inside-out meniscal suture in a human meniscus model. In detached adult human menisci, vertical longitudinal cuts were created 3 mm from the synovial-meniscal junction, simulating a bucket-handle meniscal tear. Each cut was repaired using a single device. Group 1 received a vertical mattress suture of No. 2-0 OrthoCord; group 2, TrueSpan device with PEEK (polyether ether ketone) anchors containing No. 2-0 OrthoCord suture; group 3, TrueSpan device with biodegradable poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) anchors containing No. 2-0 OrthoCord suture; group 4, Meniscal Cinch II device; group 5, AIR meniscal repair device; and group 6, FasT-Fix 360 device. All samples were preloaded at 5 N and cycled 200 times between 5 and 20 N. The specimens that survived cyclic loading were destructively tested at 12.5 mm/s. Endpoints included maximum load, displacement, stiffness, and failure mode. The mean failure loads were as follows: 95.8 N for OrthoCord suture, 87.1 N for TrueSpan with PEEK, 84.6 N for TrueSpan with PLGA, 48.6 N for Meniscal Cinch II, 72.3 N for AIR, and 68.1 N for FasT-Fix 360. Repairs performed with OrthoCord suture (P= .002) and both TrueSpan devices (P < .03) but not the FasT-Fix 360 device or AIR device were statistically significantly stronger than Meniscal Cinch II repairs. Mean cyclic displacement measured 1.1 mm for OrthoCord, 1.5 mm for TrueSpan with PEEK, 1.5 mm for TrueSpan with PLGA, 2.1 mm for Meniscal Cinch II, 1.1 mm for AIR, and 1.4 mm for FasT-Fix 360. The Meniscal Cinch II device showed more displacement than all other devices (P < .05). The FasT-Fix 360, AIR, and Meniscal Cinch II devices failed by anchor pullout from the peripheral meniscus. OrthoCord and both TrueSpan devices failed by suture pulling through the bucket-handle tissue. OrthoCord suture is stronger than the AIR, FasT-Fix 360, and Meniscal Cinch II devices. The TrueSpan device with PEEK and TrueSpan device with PLGA are stronger than the Meniscal Cinch II device. The Meniscal Cinch II device failed during cyclic loading with greater cyclic displacement than the AIR device, FasT-Fix 360 device, OrthoCord, and TrueSpan device with PEEK. The Meniscal Cinch II, AIR, and FasT-Fix 360 devices failed by anchor pullout, whereas OrthoCord and both TrueSpan devices failed by suture pull-through. Some newly introduced all-inside meniscal repair devices show inferior failure strength compared with earlier versions that might adversely impact clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of Meniscal Tissue after Meniscal Repair Using Ultrahigh Field MRI.

The study evaluates the meniscal tissue after primary meniscal suturing using 7-Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging with T2* mapping at 6 and 12 months after surgery to investigate the differences between repaired meniscal tissue and healthy meniscal tissue in the medial and lateral compartment. This prospective study included 11 patients (9m/2f) with a mean age of 30.6 years (standard deviation 9.0). Patients with a meniscal tear that was treated arthroscopically with meniscus suturing, using an all-inside technique, were included. All patients and seven healthy volunteers were imaged on a 7-T whole-body system. T2* mapping of the meniscus was applied on sagittal slices. Regions-of-interest were defined manually in the red and white zone of each medial and lateral meniscus to measure T2*-values. In the medial posterior and medial anterior horn similar T2*-values were measured in the red and white zone at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Compared with the control group higher T2*-values were found in the repaired medial meniscus. After 12-months T2*-values decreased to normal values in the anterior horn and remained elevated in the posterior horn. In the red zone of the lateral posterior horn a significant decrease in the T2*-values (from 8.2 milliseconds to 5.9 milliseconds) (p = 0.04), indicates successful repair; a tendency toward a decrease in the white zone between the 6 and 12 months follow-up was observed. In the red zone of the lateral anterior horn the T2*-values decreased significantly during follow-up and in the white zone of the lateral anterior horn T2*-values were comparable. In comparison to the control group higher T2*-values were measured at 6-months; however, the T2*-values showed comparable values in the repaired lateral meniscus after 12 months. The T2* mapping results of the current study indicated a better healing response of the red zone of the lateral posterior horn compared with the medial posterior horn.

Huge intrameniscal cyst successfully treated by open debridement and combined arthroscopic and open repair: a case report

BackgroundMeniscal cysts are not uncommon in clinical practice, with reported incidence rates varying from 1 to 22%. Most meniscal cysts are parameniscal cysts, which are created by extravasation of synovial fluid through the meniscal tear into the adjacent soft tissue. In contrast, intrameniscal cysts in which the fluid collects in the meniscus are very rare. We encountered a teenager with a huge intrameniscal cyst accompanied by a small vertical meniscal tear in the red-white zone of the upper surface of the medial meniscus. A literature search revealed no information regarding the appropriate treatment methods and results for this type of lesion.Case presentationA 14-year-old boy presented to our outpatient clinic because of right knee pain that had been present for the previous 2 months. The patient participated in Hapkido, but had no specific trauma history. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a huge intrameniscal cyst located in the central parenchyma of the posteromedial corner of the medial meniscus. In addition, one sagittal slice on MRI revealed a vertical tear in the red-white zone of the upper surface of the medial meniscus. The presence of such a tear accompanied by a huge intrameniscal cyst is very unusual. The patient was treated via arthroscopic inside-out meniscal suture repair and open cystic debridement with additional meniscocapsular suturing. During 4 years of magnetic resonance imaging follow-up, the lesion has completely disappeared and the meniscus has successfully recovered its normal form.ConclusionsOur treatment method may be considered as the first choice for young patients who require surgical treatment for large intrameniscal cysts with accompanying small vertical meniscal tears.

Meniscus sutures by arthrotomy fora non-transfixing horizontal lesion associated with a cyst.

Meniscal cysts are rare in Stoller grade II horizontal lesions. Several techniques are described in the literature for their management, without any real gold standard. The objective of this work was to report a series of meniscal sutures associated with cyst resection by arthrotomy. The hypothesis was that the results were satisfactory and comparable with the data in the literature regardless of the technique reported without morbidity added by arthrotomy. This was a monocentric retrospective study on 13 patients, aged 33 on average with a grade II meniscus lesion associated with a cyst (9 lateral and 4 medial menisci). Pre-operative data available was the VAS (5.7/10) and the Lysholm score (61/100). Primary endpoints were as follows: pain (visual analogue scale), global satisfaction, Lysholm functional score, and return to sports and professional activities at a minimum of twoyears. Secondary endpoints were complications, possible recurrence, and/or surgical revision. Recurrences, complications, and surgical recovery were gathered. Patients were evaluated with an average follow-up of 32months. All patients were satisfied or very satisfied. The VAS significantly improved (0.2/10, p < 0.05) as well as the Lysholm score (97/100, p < 0.05). All patients returned to their professional activity: 11 within two months, one within six weeks, and one in the first post-operative week (this patient being a student). Only one patient did not resume pre-operative sport level due to a femoropatellar syndrome, not linked to the meniscal surgery performed. However, only 11 patients resumed their previous sport level (84.6%). No recurrence or surgical revision occurred. The results are good and similar to the literature, confirming the working hypothesis. These results are equivalent to partial meniscectomies and arthroscopic sutures associated with a procedure on the cyst by arthroscopy or arthrotomy. The literature is in favour of a procedure on the cyst. The results confirm the effectiveness of a direct approach suture of non-transfixing meniscal lesions associated with a cyst resection with a good functional recovery, without additional morbidity. The hypothesis was confirmed.

Clinical Effects of Gu&apos;s Manipulation Combined with Functional Exercise After Endoscope Surgery for Knee Osteoarthropathy

To observe the effects of Gu's manipulation combined with progressive functional exercise method and simple progressive functional exercise method on the recovery of affected limb function after arthroscopic surgery for knee osteoarthropathy. Methods: A total of 98 patients with knee osteoarthropathy diagnosed in our department from January 2018 to January 2020 were randomly divided into simple progressive functional exercise method, the control group, with 49 cases of patients, and Gu's simple manipulation combined with progressive functional exercise method, the treatment group, with 49 cases of patients. Patients in both groups were routinely treated with subcutaneous arthroscopic dissection and meniscus trimming and suture with the ablation knife, and patients in both groups did not use external fixation after operation. The patients in the control group were given progressive functional exercise. In the manipulation group, the progressive functional exercise was combined with the guidance of simple manipulation therapy. Patients in both groups were discharged from the hospital on the 3rd day after surgery, and all received functional examination of the affected limb and knee WOMAC score on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 14th days after the surgery. Results: The comparison between the two groups showed that the patients in the treatment group had a significant reduction in pain 3 days after the surgery, swelling was significantly resolved, resting pain was improved, knee extension function and early walking stability were significantly improved; by the 14th day after surgery, the pain state of patients in the treatment group gradually tended to be consistent, but in the treatment group, the patients’ walking state, points of up and down stairs and activity difficulty scores were better than those in the control group. Conclusion: Gu's simple manipulation combined with progressive functional exercise can greatly promote the swelling of the affected limbs and functional recovery after knee arthroscopy. It is significantly better than simple progressive functional exercise. It is easy to operate and easy for patients to master and operate by themselves, so it is worthy to be popularized in patients with undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Meniscal Allograft Transplantation With Soft-Tissue Fixation Including the Anterior Intermeniscal Ligament

Meniscal allograft transplantation has been introduced as a treatment for symptomatic meniscus-deficient patients to improve clinical outcomes. We describe an arthroscopic technique for meniscal allograft with soft-tissue fixation including the anterior intermeniscal ligament (AIML): arthroscopic double soft-tissue fixation technique. The AIML and anterior and posterior roots are detached and sutured using running locked Krackow stitches. After preparation of the meniscal bed, the meniscus is passed into the knee and the posterior meniscal horn is fixed with sutures through bone tunnels. The body of the meniscus is fixed with all-inside sutures. Then, the anterior meniscal suture is fixed on the anatomic point of the anterior root with an anchor. The AIML suture is fixed with an anchor to the bare area of the proximal tibia, anterior to the anterior cruciate ligament insertion. This reliable and reproducible technique is less complex than bone plug methods; it is less invasive but still provides stable and secure graft fixation. It will help surgeons to improve clinical results and to limit early secondary extrusion of the graft.

Resultados a mediano plazo de la remodelación artroscópica asociada a reparación periférica en niños con menisco discoide inestable

IntroductionThe traditional treatment of unstable symptomatic discoid meniscus has been total or subtotal meniscectomy. However, long-term studies show that the results are poor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and survival of arthroscopic saucerization combined with peripheral repair for the treatment of symptomatic discoid meniscus in children. MethodsPatients≤18 years with discoid meniscus and a peripheral lesion treated between January 2012 and January 2018 were analyzed. Clinical results were evaluated using the Ikeuchi, Pedi-IKDC and Lysholm scales. The survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. ResultsEighteen patients (18 knees) were treated in the evaluated period. The average age at the time of surgery was 11.1±3.8 years. The average follow-up was 40.4±21.2 months. An average of 3.4±1 meniscal sutures (range, 2 to 6) was used. Repairs were carried out with a combination of inside-out and outside-inside techniques as dictated by the configuration of the injury. Sixteen patients could be evaluated functionally (2 lost of follow-up). Four patients presented mechanical symptoms. One was treated conservatively with physical therapy and 3 (18.8%) required further surgical treatment (subtotal meniscectomy). According to the Ikeuchi scale 12 (75%) had excellent results, one (6.2%) good and 3 (18.8%) poor (repair failure). The average Pedi-IKDC and Lysholm scores were 98.3±2 and 98.7±2.9 respectively at the last follow-up. The overall Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities after repair were 93.7% at one year, and 85.9% at 2 years. ConclusionsMid-term outcomes of saucerization in conjunction with meniscal repair are encouraging for children with a symptomatic unstable discoid meniscus.

Polyurethane scaffold implants for partial meniscus lesions: delayed intervention leads to an inferior outcome

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of the implantation of an aliphatic polyurethane scaffold for the treatment of partial loss of meniscal tissue at a mean follow-up of 36months. A retrospective review on prospectively collected data was performed on patients who underwent implantation of an aliphatic polyurethane-based synthetic meniscal scaffold. Patients were evaluated for demographics data, lesion and implant characteristics (sizing, type and number of meniscal sutures), previous and combined surgeries and complications. Clinical parameters were rated using NRS, IKDC subjective, Lysholm, KOOS, and Tegner activity score, both preoperatively and at final follow-up. Sixty-seven patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 36months (48 M and 19 F; mean age 40.8 ± 10.6years; mean BMI 25.4 ± 4.3). The scaffold was implanted on the medial side in 54 cases, and on the lateral one in 13. Forty-seven patients had undergone previous surgical treatment at the same knee and 45 required combined surgical procedures. All evaluated scores improved significantly from the baseline. Among possible prognostic factors, a delayed scaffold implantation had lower post-operative clinical scores: IKDC subjective (P = 0.049), KOOS Sport (P = 0.044), KOOS total (p = 0.011), and Tegner (P = 0.03) scores at follow-up. The polyurethane meniscal scaffold implantation led to a significant clinical benefit in a large number of patients. A delayed intervention correlated with worse results. IV.

New grafts for anterior cruciate ligament grafting using the «all-inside» method

Improving the technique of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is developing in the following areas: reduction of surgical trauma, improvement of the anatomical position of the graft, increased strength of its attachment, stimulation of regeneration of attachment sites, modification of postoperative of rehabilitation treatment. The «all-inside» technique meets most requirements. The recovery period of the patient after ACL reconstruction significantly associated with the speed of integration of the transplant into the surrounding tissue.Objective: to develop a method for using transplants from the patellar ligament (BTB) and quadriceps tendon (QT) during ACL reconstruction according to the «all-inside» technique.Methods: the study included patients (12 men, 2 women) who in addition to ACL reconstruction had meniscus removal, meniscus suture, cartilage shaving and microfracturing of small defects (no more than 3 cm2 ). Revision operations was carried out in 3 patients. The channels were drilled with a RetroDrill® tool or FlipCutter®. The grafts in the femur and tibia were fixed using TightRope® suspension system or its analogue.Results: a method was developed for the use of BTB and QT grafts with 180° turnover of bone fragment to restore ACL according to the method «allinside». Clinical testing of the method in primary and the revision of the ACL reconstruction has shown good and excellent results. On 2–3 days, VAS pain indicator is 3–4 points, after a week all patients recovered knee flexion up to 90°. Instability of the knee joint is not detected. After 12 months 71.2 % of patients were assigned to group A on the IKDC scale.Conclusions: proposed method can be used in the primary and, especially, revision ACL reconstruction, because by turning the bone fragment you can get the end of the graft significantly larger diameter comparing with traditional methods for the preparation of BTB and QT transplants.

Biomechanical comparison of meniscus-suture constructs for pullout repair of medial meniscus posterior root tears

BackgroundTranstibial pullout repair for posterior meniscus root tear is widely performed to restore meniscal function. However, it is sometimes technically difficult to pass the suture through the posterior medial meniscus root in narrow joint space. To address this limitation, a new suture technique using an all-inside meniscal suture device through the tibial tunnel was proposed. The purpose of the present study was to compare the biomechanical properties of a meniscus-suture construct prepared using an all-inside meniscal suture device and those of the construct prepared using conventional suture techniques.MethodsA total of 18 fresh-frozen porcine medial menisci were used and randomly divided into three groups according to the type of suturing technique applied. Three suturing methods were evaluated: suturing with all-inside meniscal suture device, single simple suture, and double simple sutures. All specimens were subjected to cyclic loading of 300 cycles followed by a load-to-failure test. The displacement after cyclic loading, the ultimate failure load, and the mode of failure were evaluated.ResultsThere was no significant difference among the three suturing techniques regarding both displacement after cyclic loading and ultimate failure load. Suture breakage was the most common failure mode in each group.ConclusionsThe biomechanical properties of meniscus-suture construct with the all-inside meniscal suture device were equivalent to those obtained using conventional suture techniques. Our results suggest that pullout repair using the all-inside meniscal suture device through the tibial tunnel could serve as an alternative suture technique for the repair of posterior meniscus root tears.

Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in arthroscopic repair for discoid lateral meniscus tears

BackgroundTo evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopic repair with or without platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for tears of the discoid lateral meniscus (DLM).MethodsTwenty-nine patients with DLM tears within a stable knee were arthroscopically treated with meniscal suture repair. Of those, 14 were augmented with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and 15 were performed without PRP augmentation. Patients were evaluated at baseline (the day before surgery) and then 12 and 24 months after the last injection. Evaluation included the Lysholm score, and Ikeuchi grade, Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain and failure rate. Failure was defined by patients developing symptoms of joint line pain, locking, swelling or requiring repeat arthroscopy.ResultsThere was no difference in the failure rate in the PRP group (1 of 14) compared with the non-PRP group (2 of 15) (P = 0.58). Statistically significant improvement in Lysholm score, Ikeuchi grade and VAS for pain was documented at the last follow-up compared with baseline in both PRP and non-PRP group. No significantly difference was found between the PRP group and non-PRP group on Lysholm score, Ikeuchi grade and VAS for pain at the last follow-up. In the univariate analysis of each variable, younger age (P = 0.036) and longer follow-up duration (P = 0.043) were statistically associated with a better function improvement. Whereas in multivariate analysis, only younger age (P = 0.004) was significantly associated with a better function improvement.ConclusionWith regard to clinical evaluations in arthroscopic repair for DLM tears, PRP group had similar effect in pain relief and functional improvement to non-PRP group at mid-term follow-up. Future larger prospective studies with a longer follow-up are needed to determine whether PRP should be used with DLM repair.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for the Treatment of Avascular Meniscus Tears in a One-Step Procedure-Evaluation of an In Vivo Model.

Avascular meniscus tears show poor intrinsic regenerative potential. Thus, lesions within this area predispose the patient to developing knee osteoarthritis. Current research focuses on regenerative approaches using growth factors or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to enhance healing capacity within the avascular meniscus zone. The use of MSCs especially as progenitor cells and a source of growth factors has shown promising results. However, present studies use bone-marrow-derived BMSCs in a two-step procedure, which is limiting the transfer in clinical praxis. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate a one-step procedure using bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), containing BMSCs, for inducing the regeneration of avascular meniscus lesions. Longitudinal meniscus tears of 4 mm in size of the lateral New Zealand White rabbit meniscus were treated with clotted autologous PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or BMAC and a meniscus suture or a meniscus suture alone. Menisci were harvested at 6 and 12 weeks after initial surgery. Macroscopical and histological evaluation was performed according to an established Meniscus Scoring System. BMAC significantly enhanced regeneration of the meniscus lesions in a time-dependent manner and in comparison to the PRP and control groups, where no healing could be observed. Treatment of avascular meniscus lesions with BMAC and meniscus suturing seems to be a promising approach to promote meniscus regeneration in the avascular zone using a one-step procedure.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair in Young Patients: Comparison of All-Inside and Inside-Out Suture Techniques.

PurposeThe purposes of the present study were to review published studies that investigated arthroscopic meniscus repair to treat meniscus injury in young patients and to compare all-inside and inside-out suture techniques.MethodsVarious electronic databases were queried for published articles, and this search was updated in August 2017 for evaluating the outcomes of arthroscopic meniscus surgery in young patients. Data search, extraction, analysis, and quality assessment were performed according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, and the clinical outcomes were evaluated using various outcome values in young patients according to suture techniques.ResultsThree randomized controlled trials and three prospective comparative studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes such as meniscus healing rate (risk ratio [RR], 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90 to 1.37; I2=39%) and perioperative complications (RR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.23 to 1.72; I2=43%) between all-inside and inside-out techniques for meniscus repair.ConclusionsThe present study shows favorable results for clinical outcomes such as meniscus healing rate and perioperative complications in young patients. Furthermore, based on our results, both all-inside and inside-out meniscal suture techniques are equally effective in these patients.

OUTCOMES OF DISCOID MENISCUS REPAIRS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Background: Discoid meniscus tear patterns vary, but typically involve horizontal cleavage tears of the central discoid component with or without anterior or posterior meniscocapsular tears. Classically, the central discoid component is saucerized and meniscocapsular tears are repaired. Recent data suggests that meniscal preservation provides long-term benefits over resection1-2. However, many meniscal transplants are performed secondary to unsalvaged or unsalvageable discoid meniscus tears3. Reoperation rates after meniscus repairs vary greatly4-6, with some series reporting high rates of reinjury and reoperation, but there are no large series of pediatric discoid meniscus repairs in the literature. The purpose of this study is to describe the outcomes of meniscus repair and saucerization in pediatric patients with symptomatic discoid menisci. Methods: A single-institution retrospective review was performed of consecutive pediatric patients with surgical treatment of a discoid meniscus tear over a five-year period. Inclusion criteria were age less than 18 years, a symptomatic torn discoid meniscus treated with knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair, and minimum 4-month follow-up. A chart review was performed to describe tear location, tear pattern, and repair type (inside-out, outside-in, all-inside, and hybrid). Hybrid repair constructs were defined as those that used 2 or more repair types. The primary outcome was revision meniscus surgery. Results: Forty-four patients were identified to meet inclusion criteria. There were 23 males and 21 females with a mean age of 12.4 years (range 5 – 17 years). The right knee was affected in 61% of patients. The lateral meniscus was involved in all patients. Tear patterns included anterior meniscocapsular (19 patients, 43%), posterior meniscocapsular (14 patients, 30%), radial (7 patients, 16%), and bucket-handle (5 patients, 11%). Tears most commonly involved the posterior horn and body (21 patients, 48%) or posterior horn (16 patients, 36%) Arthroscopic meniscus repair was performed in all patients. Forty-three patients (98%) also underwent saucerization. Marrow stimulation, as a biological approach to improve repair healing, was performed in 14 patients (32%). The distribution of repair types and number of sutures for each type is listed in the table below. Mean follow-up was 19 months (range 4 – 70 months). Four patients (9%) underwent revision meniscus surgery following the primary repair, including 2 all-inside repairs and 2 partial meniscectomies. There were no statistically significant differences between patients who did or did not require a secondary surgery with respect to sex, age, tear location, tear pattern, repair type, or number of sutures. During follow-up, 9 patients (20%) had surgery for a symptomatic discoid meniscus in the contralateral knee. Conclusions: Saucerization and repair of discoid lateral meniscus tears in the pediatric population have good outcomes with low rates of reoperation. Appropriate saucerization, followed by an arthroscopic assessment of stability and tear patterns is critical to successful treatment of symptomatic discoid menisci. If tissue quality permits, meniscal preservation should be considered in all patients to avoid the consequences of subtotal meniscectomy. [Table: see text] Manzione M, Pizzutillo PD, Peoples AB, et al. Meniscectomy in children: a long-term follow-up study. Am J Sports Med 1983;11:111-115. Ahn JH, Kim KI, Wang JH, et al. Long-term results of arthroscopic reshaping for symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus in children. Arthroscopy 2015;31(5):867-873. Kocher MS, Tepolt FA, Vavken P. Meniscus transplantation in skeletally immature patients. J Pediatr Orthop B 2016;25(4)343-348. Steadman JR, Matheny LM, Singleton SB, et al. Meniscus suture repair: minimum 10-year outcomes in patients younger than 40 years compared with patients 40 and older. Am J Sports Med 2015;43(9):2222-2227. Paxton ES, Stock MV, Brophy RH. Meniscal repair versus partial meniscectomy: a systematic review comparing reoperation rates and clinical outcomes. Arthroscopy 2011;27(9):1275-1288. Shieh AK, Edmonds EW, Pennock AT. Revision meniscal surgery in children and adolescents: risk factors and mechanisms for failure and subsequent management. Am J Sports Med 2016;44(4):838-843.

Chondral Injury After Inside-Out Meniscal Suture Repair Using Meniscal Sutures

Chondral injury after arthroscopic meniscal suture repair is rare. We present a case of chondral injury due to the migration of suture after meniscal repair. The aberrant suture that remained temporarily at the medial tibiofemoral joint may have led to the chondral lesion of the femoral medial condyle and the tibial medial plateau at the weight-bearing portion.

Local Administration of Magnesium Promotes Meniscal Healing Through Homing of Endogenous Stem Cells: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Background: Although many strategies have been developed to modify the biological and biomechanical environment of the meniscal suture repair to improve the chances of healing, the failure rates remain high. Thus, new methods to promote meniscal regeneration and repair are needed. Hypothesis: Administration of magnesium (via a repair using magnesium stitches) might enhance recruitment and adherence of endogenous stem cells to the site of the lesion, thereby promoting in situ meniscal regeneration and chondroprotective functions. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Synovial fluid–derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) were identified and isolated from the knees of rabbits with a meniscal injury of 4 weeks’ duration. An in vitro analysis of adherence and chemotaxis of SMSCs was performed. For the in vivo assay, rabbits (n = 120) with meniscal lesions were divided into 3 groups: repair with high-purity magnesium stitches (Mg group), repair with absorbable sutures (Control group), and no repair (Blank group). Healing of the regenerated tissue and degeneration of the articular cartilage were evaluated by gross and histological analysis at postoperative weeks 1, 3, 6, and 12. The mechanical properties of the repaired meniscus were also analyzed (tensile testing). Results: In vitro, magnesium promoted the adhesion and migration of SMSCs, which were identified and increased in the knee joints with meniscal lesions. Moreover, fibrochondrogenesis of SMSCs was stimulated by magnesium. Compared with the other groups, the Mg group had enhanced tissue regeneration, lower cartilage degeneration, and retained mechanical strength at 12 weeks after meniscal repair. Conclusion/Clinical Relevance: Magnesium could be used for in situ meniscal repair due to the potential capacity of magnesium to recruit endogenous stem cells and promote synthesis of fibrocartilaginous matrix.

Influence of Sutures on Cartilage Integrity: Do Meniscus Sutures Harm Cartilage? An Experimental Animal Study

To evaluate whether different suture materials in meniscal repair may harm cartilage. A preloaded linear friction testing setup including porcine knees with porcine cartilage, porcine meniscus, and different suture materials (braided nonabsorbable, absorbable monofilament) was used. Five groups with different tribological pairs were tested: cartilage on meniscus (control), cartilage on cartilage (control No. 2), and cartilage on different meniscus sutures (3 groups). Cartilage integrity was analyzed macroscopically by the India ink method and histologically using Giemsa-eosin-stained undecalcified methyl methacrylate sections. Cartilage lesions were classified by using a quantitative scoring system. The control groups did not show cartilage damage, either macroscopically or histologically. Loading cartilage with sutured menisci led to significant damage of the superficial radial and transitional zones with braided nonabsorbable (P= .03) and absorbable monofilament (P= .02) sutures at final examination. Menisci sutured with braided nonabsorbable material resulted in deeper damage to the cartilage. However, there were no significant differences between the suture materials. Sutures oriented perpendicular to surface motion led to a larger defect than parallel-oriented sutures. Braided nonabsorbable and absorbable monofilament suture materials cause significant damage to cartilage during long-term cyclic loading invitro. The extent of damage depends on suture orientation. This study provides data on the extent to which different suture materials in meniscus repair may harm cartilage.