Arthroscopic Repair of radial meniscal tear by Double Vertical cross sutures through Inside-Out technique

Abstract

Background: The knee meniscus is essential for lubricating the joint, absorbing shocks, and distributing loads & weight-bearing. Aim and objectives: To develop a novel suture technique in repairing radial meniscal tear for better healing of the meniscus and better functional outcome. Patients & methods: This was Prospective controlled study on 20 individuals with radial meniscal tear were underwent repair with a combination of inside-out sutures & secondary reinforcement to the tibia utilizing all-suture knotless anchors in Minia University Hospital. Results: About one half of cases had marching cleft sign on MRI before operation, 30% had ghost meniscus sign and only 20% had fluid cleft sign. Regarding time to operation, it ranged from 5 weeks to 20 weeks from time of trauma with mean 10.6 ±3.2. For time of arthroscopic repair, it ranged from 40:90 minutes with mean 57 min. also mean time of hospital stay after operation was 1.6 days ranged from 1:3 days. There was highly significant reduction in mean score of VAS after 3 months and 6 months of operation compared to baseline before operation (p value <0.001). There was high significant increase in mean knee society score and function score after 3 months and 6 months of operation compared to baseline before operation (p value<0.001). Conclusion: This novel suture technique in repairing radial meniscal tear by double vertical cross sutures through inside-out technique had better healing of the meniscus and better functional outcome.