Meniscal Transplant surgery or Optimised Rehabilitation full randomised trial (MeTeOR2): a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Pain and disability after meniscectomy can be a substantial lifelong problem. There are few treatment options, especially for young people. Non-surgical management (rehabilitation) is an option but increasingly surgeons are performing meniscal allograft transplants (MATs) for these individuals. However, this is still an uncommon procedure, and availability and usage of MAT vary widely both in the UK and internationally. It is not known which treatment option is the most effective and cost-effective. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Meniscal Transplant surgery or Optimised Rehabilitation trial is an international, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. The aim is to compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of MAT versus an optimised package of individualised, progressive, rehabilitation that we have called personalised knee therapy (PKT).Participants will be recruited from sites across the UK, Australia, Canada and Belgium. The planned 144 participants provide at least 90% power to detect a 10-point difference in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS4) at 24-months post randomisation (primary outcome). A prospectively planned economic evaluation will be conducted from a healthcare system and personal social services perspective. Secondary outcome data including health utility, occupational status, sports participation, mental well-being, further treatment, and adverse events will be collected at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Analysis will be on an intention-to-treat basis and reported in-line with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial was approved by the London-Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee on 19 August 2022 (22/LO/0327) and Northern Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee, NSW, Australia on the 13 March 2023 (2022/ETH01890).Trial results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, presentations at international conferences, in lay summaries and using social media as appropriate.This protocol adheres to the recommended Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) checklist. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN87336549.

A New Entity of Ramp Lesion Combined with Posterior Root Tear of the Medial Meniscus: A Case Report.

CASE: This report describes a new pattern of meniscal tear in an 18-year-old man after a knee sprain; he had undergone anterior cruciate ligament revision (ACL-R) 3 years earlier. He was diagnosed with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft rupture, a ramp lesion (Thaunat type 4), and a posterior root avulsion fracture of the medial meniscus (MM) (LaPrade type 5). He was treated successfully with an all-inside repair of the ramp lesion, a transtibial pull-out repair of the root tear, and ACL graft revision and anterolateral stabilization. CONCLUSION: This specific meniscal injury pattern should be recognized and documented, potentially warranting consideration as a new addition to Thaunat and LaPrade classifications as type 6.

Clinical Outcomes of Medial Meniscal Allograft Transplantation With or Without High Tibial Osteotomy: A Case-Control Study Up to 8 Years of Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Satisfactory clinical results of meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) have been reported in recent years. However, it remains unclear whether the clinical outcomes of MAT when combined with an osteotomy are inferior to those of isolated MAT. PURPOSE: To compare the survival rates and clinical outcomes of patients who received isolated medial MAT with those of patients undergoing medial MAT combined with high tibial osteotomy (HTO). STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 55 patients underwent arthroscopic medial MAT using the soft tissue technique and HTO (mean age, 41.3 ± 10.4 years; 9 female); after fuzzy case-control matching on demographics, 55 controls who underwent isolated medial MAT were also included. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with surgical failure, clinical failure (Lysholm score, <65), and reoperation as endpoints. Subjective clinical scores were collected preoperatively and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 5.4 years, up to 8 years. All outcomes significantly improved at the last follow-up (P < .001). No differences were identified between MAT and MAT + HTO groups preoperatively and at the last follow-up (P > .05). At the final follow-up, 8 of 55 (14.5%) of the MAT + HTO patients and 9 of 55 (16.4%) of the MAT patients had a Lysholm score <65 (P = .885). Overall, 90% of the patients declared they would repeat the surgery regardless of the combined procedure. Surgical failure was identified in 6 of 110 (5.5%) patients: 5 of 55 (9.1%) in the MAT + HTO group and 1 of 55 (1.8%) in the MAT group (P = .093). Clinical failure was identified in 19 of 110 (17.3%) patients: 11 of 55 (20%) in the MAT + HTO group and 8 of 55 (14.5%) in the MAT group (P = .447). A significantly lower survivorship from surgical failure was identified in the MAT + HTO group (hazard ratio, 5.1; P = .049), while no differences in survivorship from reoperation and clinical failure were identified (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing medial MAT + HTO showed similar clinical results to patients undergoing isolated medial MAT at midterm follow-up, and thus a surgically addressed malalignment does not represent a contraindication for medial MAT. However, the need for a concomitant HTO is associated with a slightly higher failure rate over time.

The Effect of Lower Limb Alignment on Tibiofemoral Joint Contact Biomechanics after Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Repair: A Finite-Element Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine how variations in lower limb alignment affect tibiofemoral joint contact biomechanics in the setting of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) and associated root repair. METHODS: A finite-element model of an intact knee joint was developed. Limb alignments ranging from 4° valgus to 8° varus were simulated under a 1,000 N compression load applied to the femoral head. For the intact, MMPRT, and root repair conditions, the peak contact pressure (PCP), total contact area, mean and maximum local contact pressure (LCP) elevation, and total area of LCP elevation of the medial tibiofemoral compartment were quantified. RESULTS: The PCP and total contact area of the medial compartment in the intact knee increased from 2.43 MPa and 361 mm 2 at 4° valgus to 9.09 MPa and 508 mm 2 at 8° of varus. Compared with the intact state, in the MMPRT condition, medial compartment PCP was greater and the total contact area smaller for all alignment conditions. Root repair roughly restored PCPs in the medial compartment; however, this ability was compromised in knees with increasing varus alignment. Specifically, elevations in PCP relative to the intact state increased with increasing varus, as did the total contact area with LCP elevation. After root repair, medial compartment PCP remained elevated above the intact state at all degrees tested, ranging from 0.05 MPa at 4° valgus to 0.27 MPa at 8° of varus, with overall PCP values increasing from 2.48 to 9.09 MPa. For varus alignment greater than 4°, root repair failed to reduce the total contact area with LCP elevation relative to the MMPRT state. DISCUSSION: Greater PCPs and areas of LCP elevation in varus knees may reduce the clinical effectiveness of root repair in delaying or preventing the development of tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.

Quantitative evaluation of meniscus injury using synthetic magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can diagnose meniscal lesions anatomically, while quantitative MRI can reflect the changes of meniscal histology and biochemical structure. Our study aims to explore the association between the measurement values obtained from synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) and Stoller grades. Additionally, we aim to assess the diagnostic accuracy of SyMRI in determining the extent of meniscus injury. This potential accuracy could contribute to minimizing unnecessary invasive examinations and providing guidance for clinical treatment. METHODS: Total of 60 (n=60) patients requiring knee arthroscopic surgery and 20 (n=20) healthy subjects were collected from July 2022 to November 2022. All subjects underwent conventional MRI and SyMRI. Manual measurements of the T1, T2 and proton density (PD) values were conducted for both normal menisci and the most severely affected position of injured menisci. These measurements corresponded to the Stoller grade of meniscus injuries observed in the conventional MRI. All patients and healthy subjects were divided into normal group, degeneration group and torn group according to the Stoller grade on conventional MRI. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to compare the T1, T2 and PD values of the meniscus among 3 groups. The accuracy of SyMRI in diagnosing meniscus injury was assessed by comparing the findings with arthroscopic observations. The diagnostic efficiency of meniscus degeneration and tear between conventional MRI and SyMRI were analyzed using McNemar test. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was constructed and the area under the curve (AUC) was utilized for evaluation. RESULTS: According to the measurements of SyMRI, there was no statistical difference of T1 value or PD value measured by SyMRI among the normal group, degeneration group and torn group, while the difference of T2 value was statistically significant among 3 groups (P=0.001). The arthroscopic findings showed that 11 patients were meniscal degeneration and 49 patients were meniscal tears. The arthroscopic findings were used as the gold standard, and the difference of T1 and PD values among the 3 groups was not statistically significant, while the difference of T2 values (32.81±2.51 of normal group, 44.85±3.98 of degeneration group and 54.42±3.82 of torn group) was statistically significant (P=0.001). When the threshold of T2 value was 51.67 (ms), the maximum Yoden index was 0.787 and the AUC value was 0.934. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement values derived from SyMRI could reflect the Stoller grade, illustrating that SyMRI has good consistency with conventional MRI. Moreover, the notable consistency observed between SyMRI and arthroscopy suggests a potential role for SyMRI in guiding clinical diagnoses.

Reconstruction of medial meniscus posterior portion deficiency in pigs with an autologous patellar tendon graft: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of two surgical procedures, autologous patellar tendon graft reconstruction and trans-tibial plateau pull-out repair, using a pig model. The primary focus was to assess the repair capability of medial meniscus posterior portion (MMPP) deficiency, the overall structural integrity of the meniscus, and protection of the femoral and tibial cartilage between the two surgical groups. The overall aim was to provide experimental guidelines for clinical research using these findings. METHODS: Twelve pigs were selected to establish a model of injury to the MMPP 10 mm from the insertion point of the tibial plateau. They were randomly divided into three groups of four animals each: reconstruction (autologous tendon graft reconstruction of the MMPP), pull-out repair (suture repair of the MMPP via a trans-tibial plateau bone tunnel), and control (use of a normal medial meniscus as the negative control). The animals were euthanized 12 weeks postoperatively for evaluation of the meniscus, assessment of tendon bone healing, and gross observation of knee joint cartilage. The tibial and femoral cartilage injuries were evaluated using the International Society for Cartilage Repair (ICRS) grade and Mankin score. Histological and immunohistochemical staining was conducted on the meniscus-tendon junction area, primary meniscus, and tendons. The Ishida score was used to evaluate the regenerated meniscus in the reconstruction group. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate meniscal healing. RESULTS: All 12 pigs recovered well after surgery; all incisions healed without infection, and no obvious complications occurred. Gross observation revealed superior results in the reconstruction and pull-out repair groups compared with the control group. In the tibial cartilage, the reconstruction group had ICRS grade I injury whereas the pull-out repair and control groups had ICRS grade II and III injury, respectively. The Mankin score was significantly different between the reconstruction and control groups; histological staining showed that the structure of the regenerated meniscus in the reconstruction group was similar to that of the original meniscus. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the degree of type I and II collagen staining was similar between the regenerated meniscus and the original meniscus in the reconstruction group. The Ishida score was not significantly different between the regenerated meniscus and the normal primary meniscus in the reconstruction group. MRI showed that the MMPP in the reconstruction and pull-out repair groups had fully healed, whereas that in the control group had not healed. CONCLUSION: Autologous patellar tendon graft reconstruction of the MMPP can generate a fibrocartilage-like regenerative meniscus. Both reconstruction and pull-out repair can preserve the structural integrity of the meniscus, promote healing of the MMPP, delay meniscal degeneration, and protect the knee cartilage.

Effect of Meniscal Tear Patterns and Preoperative Cartilage Status on Joint Space Width After Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) is performed to treat young adults with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis associated with varus deformity. However, factors influencing joint space width (JSW) vary according to the type of medial meniscal tear and have not yet been completely elucidated. PURPOSE: To examine changes in JSW according to the type of medial meniscal tear after MOWHTO and analyze the influencing factors. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This study was conducted on 134 patients who underwent MOWHTO for medial osteoarthritis and were followed up for >2 years. The patients were classified into 3 groups based on medial meniscal status: intact, nonroot tear, and root tear. The authors then measured the JSW preoperatively and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and >2 years postoperatively; analyzed whether the change in JSW varied according to meniscal status; and determined the association of these changes with the preoperative cartilage grade of the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and medial tibial plateau (MTP). International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were used to evaluate clinical function. RESULTS: Of the 134 patients, the medial meniscus was intact in 29 patients, a nonroot tear was observed in 58 patients, and a root tear was observed in 47 patients. Postoperatively, JSW increased for all groups, but the timing of the increase varied between the groups (P < .001). JSW increased the most 6 months postoperatively in the intact group and 3 months postoperatively in the nonroot tear and root tear groups (P < .001). Additionally, the increase in JSW was the greatest in the root tear group. Preoperatively, MFC and MTP cartilage status differed among the groups; MTP status did not affect the JSW, but MFC status did (P < .001). The IKDC score increased from the preoperative to postoperative time point in all groups, but there was no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: The authors observed that the amount and timing of increase in JSW were dependent on the pattern of medial meniscal tear observed when MOWHTO was performed. In addition, the cartilage grade of MFC before surgery was associated with changes in JSW. The IKDC score was not significantly different between groups. However, a longer follow-up period is needed to analyze the correlation with the meniscal tear pattern and JSW.

[Medial discoid meniscus in a pediatric patient. Case report and review of the literature]. / Menisco discoide medial en paciente pediátrico. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Discoid meniscus is a congenital morphological variant of the meniscus, which tends to occur more frequently in its lateral form than in the medial form. This anomaly is characterized by central hypertrophy of the meniscus and a larger diameter than the normal meniscus, resulting in an abnormal shape and greater coverage of the tibial plateau. The clinical presentation of this condition varies depending on the stability of the meniscus. In pediatric patients, in particular, it is common to experience progressive and atraumatic symptoms, such as pain and limited mobility. Diagnosis is based on imaging studies, with magnetic resonance imaging being the preferred tool, where the "bowtie sign" is a classic finding. Surgery is recommended for symptomatic patients, with a focus on preserving the peripheral portion of the meniscus. Saucerization is the most commonly used technique, followed by stability assessment to determine if additional procedures are required. In this case, a 9-year-old patient with a medial discoid meniscus presented symptoms following trauma. Despite this atypical presentation, a successful outcome was achieved through arthroscopic surgery, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis and proper management of this condition in pediatric patients. Understanding the anatomical and pathophysiological characteristics of the discoid meniscus is essential for an effective therapeutic approach.

El menisco discoide es una variante morfológica congénita del menisco, que suele presentarse con mayor frecuencia en su forma lateral que en la medial. Esta anomalía se caracteriza por la hipertrofia central del menisco y un diámetro mayor que el menisco normal, lo que resulta en una forma anormal y una mayor cobertura del platillo tibial. La presentación clínica de esta condición varía según la estabilidad del menisco. En pacientes pediátricos, en particular, es común experimentar síntomas progresivos y atraumáticos, como dolor y limitación de la movilidad. El diagnóstico se basa en estudios de imagen, siendo la resonancia magnética la herramienta preferida, donde el "signo del corbatín" es un hallazgo clásico. Se recomienda la cirugía para pacientes sintomáticos, con un enfoque en preservar la porción periférica del menisco. La saucerización es la técnica más utilizada, seguida de la evaluación de la estabilidad para determinar si se requiere un procedimiento adicional. En el presente caso, se describe a un paciente de nueve años con un menisco discoide medial que manifestó síntomas después de un traumatismo. A pesar de esta presentación atípica, se logró un resultado exitoso mediante una cirugía artroscópica, lo que resalta la importancia de un diagnóstico preciso y un manejo adecuado de esta condición en pacientes pediátricos. La comprensión de las características anatómicas y patofisiológicas del menisco discoide es esencial para un enfoque terapéutico efectivo.

Osteoarthritis Development Following Meniscectomy vs. Meniscal Repair for Posterior Medial Meniscus Injuries: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aims to evaluate critically and synthesize the existing literature on the outcomes of meniscectomy versus meniscal repair for posterior medial meniscus injuries, with a focus on osteoarthritis (OA) development. We sought to assess the incidence of OA following both treatment modalities, compare functional outcomes post-treatment, and identify factors influencing treatment choice, providing evidence-based recommendations for clinical decision-making. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up until December 2023, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The primary outcomes included OA development, functional knee outcomes, and quality of life measures. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 298 patients. The systematic review revealed a significant association between meniscal repair and decreased progression of OA compared to meniscectomy. Meniscectomy patients demonstrated a 51.42% progression rate towards OA, significantly higher than the 21.28% observed in meniscal repair patients. Functional outcomes, as measured by the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores, were notably better in the repair group, with average scores of 74.68 (IKDC) and 83.78 (Lysholm) compared to 67.55 (IKDC) and 74.56 (Lysholm) in the meniscectomy group. Furthermore, the rate of complete healing in the repair group was reported at 71.4%, as one study reported, indicating a favorable prognosis for meniscal preservation. However, these pooled data should be interpreted with consideration to the heterogeneity of the analyzed studies. Meniscal repair for posterior medial meniscus injuries is superior to meniscectomy in preventing OA development and achieving better functional outcomes and quality of life post-treatment. These findings strongly suggest the adoption of meniscal repair as the preferred treatment modality for such injuries, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in clinical practice towards preserving meniscal integrity to optimize patient outcomes.

Surgical Management of a Torn ACL and Bucket-Handle Meniscal Tear in the Pregnant Patient: A Case Report.

CASE: A 36-year-old, 7-month pregnant woman presented to the office with a locked knee and a displaced bucket-handle medial meniscus tear, in the setting of chronic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) insufficiency. After thorough discussion with the patient and her husband, the obstetrician, and the anesthesiologist, the patient was treated with left knee ACL reconstruction and medial meniscus repair. CONCLUSION: With sufficient preoperative planning and coordinated multidisciplinary care among orthopaedic, anesthesiologist, and obstetric specialists, elective knee surgery can be performed safely in time-sensitive situations during pregnancy.

Collagen Meniscal Scaffold Implantation Can Provide Meniscal Regeneration in Asian Patients with Partial Meniscal Defects: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study with Three-Dimensional Volume Analysis of the Meniscus.

Background: To date, the efficiency of collagen meniscal scaffold implantation in Asian patients with partial meniscal defects has not been evaluated. In addition, no study has quantitatively analyzed meniscal regeneration using three-dimensional (3D) volume analysis after collagen scaffold implantation. We aimed to compare meniscal regeneration using 3D volume analysis between Asian patients undergoing collagen-based meniscal scaffold implantation after partial meniscectomy and those undergoing only partial meniscectomy. Methods: Nineteen patients who underwent collagen-based meniscal scaffold implantation and 14 who underwent partial meniscectomy were analyzed with a prospective randomized control design for 12 months postoperatively. The demographic characteristics, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and location of the injury lesion (medial or lateral meniscus) were not significantly different between the groups. Using 3D volume analysis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the meniscus-removing ratio during the operative procedure and the meniscus defect-filling ratio were measured during the 12-month postoperative period. Clinically, the visual analog scale, International Knee Documentation Committee score, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score were evaluated. The Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS) and Genovese grade were also evaluated using MRI. Results: In the 3D volume analysis, the average meniscus-removing ratio during surgery was not significantly different between the groups (-9.3% vs. -9.2%, p = 0.984). The average meniscus defect-filling ratio during the postoperative 12-month period was 7.5% in the scaffold group and -0.4% in the meniscectomy group (p < 0.001). None of the clinical results were significantly different between the scaffold and meniscectomy groups at 12 months postoperatively. The average change in the total WORMS score was not significantly different between the groups (0 vs. 1.9, p = 0.399). The Genovese grade of the implanted collagen scaffold did not significantly change during the follow-up period in terms of morphology and size (p = 0.063); however, the grade significantly improved in terms of signal intensity (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Definite meniscal regeneration and stable scaffold incorporation were observed after collagen-based meniscal scaffold implantation in Asian patients during 12 months of follow-up. A long-term follow-up study with a larger cohort is required to determine the advantages of collagenous meniscal scaffold implantation in Asian patients.

Arthroscopic inferior leaf meniscectomy of the involved anterior horn in the lateral meniscus horizontal tear via an accessary extreme far anteromedial portal.

BACKGROUND: An accessory extreme far anteromedial portal can improve visualisation and ease inferior leaf meniscectomy in patients with lateral meniscal anterior horn horizontal tears. However, the therapeutic outcomes of adding an accessory extreme far anteromedial portal remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of adding an accessory extreme far anteromedial portal for treating lateral meniscal horizontal tears involving the anterior horns. METHODS: This retrospective study included 101 patients with anterior horn involvement in lateral meniscal horizontal tears who underwent arthroscopic unstable inferior leaf meniscectomy between January 2016 and December 2020. The pathologies were diagnosed using physical examinations and magnetic resonance imaging. The anterior horn involved in the lateral meniscal horizontal tears was treated using inferior leaf meniscectomy. The primary endpoints were changes in the visual analogue scale, Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Tegner scores at the final follow-up. The secondary endpoint was meniscal cure rate at 3 months postoperatively. The preoperative and postoperative functional scores were compared. The occurrence of complications was recorded. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for an average of 4.9 ± 1.2 years (range 2.3-7.5 years). After 4 months, none of the patients experienced pain, weakness, instability, or tenderness in the lateral joint line, achieving an imaging cure rate of 98%. At the final follow-up, significant postoperative improvements were observed in the average values of the visual analogue scale score (3.5 ± 0.7 vs. 0.7 ± 0.6), Lysholm score (62.7 ± 4.4 vs. 91.8 ± 3.1), International Knee Documentation Committee score (61.9 ± 3.7 vs. 91.7 ± 9.5), and Tegner score (2.0 ± 0.7 vs. 6.1 ± 0.7). Excellent Lysholm scores were obtained in 81 patients, and good outcomes were obtained in 18 patients, with an excellent-to-good rate of 98.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior leaf resection via the accessory far anteromedial portal is a safe treatment option for the involved anterior horn in lateral meniscal horizontal tears. This approach enhances visibility and facilitates surgical procedures, with minimal complications.

Clinical Outcomes of Different Management Techniques for Medial Meniscal Type 3 Ramp Lesions in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparative Analysis Between All-inside Repair, Suture Hook Repair, and Lesions Left In Situ.

BACKGROUND: There is ongoing debate about the best way to manage ramp lesions at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Type 3 lesions are not visible by the transnotch approach without superior debridement, making the management debate even more problematic. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of secondary surgical interventions according to the management method of a type 3 ramp lesion concomitant with primary ACLR. The hypothesis was that the rate of secondary ACL or meniscal interventions would be higher in patients who underwent all-inside repair. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent primary ACLR with a type 3 ramp lesion between January 2012 and May 2020, regardless of the treatment method, was performed. The main criterion analyzed in this cohort was a secondary surgical intervention, defined as revision ACLR or a reintervention of the repaired meniscus. A survivorship analysis was performed to evaluate secondary surgical interventions in 3 groups: all-inside repair, suture hook repair, and left in situ. The following data were collected preoperatively and at the last follow-up: patient characteristics, time to surgery, side-to-side difference in laxity, pivot shift, Lysholm score, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Tegner score, and meniscal repair failure rate. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients who underwent type 3 ramp lesion repair concomitant with ACLR were included: 52 (46.0%) in the all-inside repair group, 23 (20.4%) in the suture hook repair group, and 38 (33.6%) in the lesion left in situ group. There were 17 patients (15.0%) who underwent a secondary intervention because of ACL graft failure (n = 6) or meniscal repair failure (n = 15 [4 of whom underwent a concomitant ACL reintervention]). Overall, 62 patients (54.9%) underwent combined ACLR and anterolateral ligament reconstruction, while 51 patients (45.1%) underwent isolated ACLR. In the adjusted Cox model, the type of meniscal repair was not statistically significantly associated with secondary surgical interventions. The only risk factor for secondary surgical interventions in this cohort was isolated ACLR (hazard ratio, 8.077; P = .007). CONCLUSION: The rates of secondary surgical interventions after medial meniscal type 3 ramp lesion repair concomitant with ACLR were similar regardless of the management method of the meniscal lesion. Despite not being associated with meniscal treatment, this rate was 8 times higher for patients who underwent isolated ACLR in this cohort; this is probably because of the protection that lateral extra-articular procedures provide to the ACL graft.

[Application of anterior region suture of popliteal hiatus in treatment of discoid lateral meniscus injury with instability in popliteal tendon region].

Objective: To discuss the application of anterior region suture of the popliteal hiatus (PH) under arthroscopy in the treatment of discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) injury with instability in the popliteal tendon region. Methods: The clinical data of 53 patients (56 knees) with DLM injury who met the selection criteria between March 2014 and November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 38 females, aged 8-55 years with an average age of 36.5 years. Fourteen cases had a history of trauma, while the remaining 39 cases had no clear history of trauma. The disease duration ranged from 1 day to 6 years, with an average duration of 15.6 months. According to the Watanabe classification, there were 40 knees of complete type and 16 knees of incomplete type. The preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) knee joint score was 51.2±8.3, the Lysholm score was 59.6±11.2, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 4.7±1.3. After the arthroscopic meniscal plasty, the instability of the popliteal tendon region meniscus was checked by probing traction. Subsequently, the Out-inside technique or a combination of Out-inside and All-inside techniques was used to suture the anterior region of the PH. The stability of the meniscus after suturing was assessed, and if necessary, further suturing using the All-inside technique at the posterior region of the PH, the posterior horn of the meniscus, and using the Out-inside technique at the anterior horn of the meniscus was performed. Postoperative complications were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated using pre- and post-operative IKDC scores, Lysholm scores, and VAS scores. Results: After operation, knee joint pain, crepitus, and locking disappeared, with McMurray and grinding tests turning negative. All patients were followed up 12-93 months with an average of 57.5 months. There was no complication such as common peroneal nerve injury, deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, joint infection, or joint stiffness. At last follow-up, the IKDC knee joint score was 76.7±5.5, the Lysholm score was 94.0±4.1, and the VAS score was 1.1±0.8. The differences compared with preoperative scores were significant ( t=-22.090, P<0.001; t=-23.704, P<0.001; t=19.767, P<0.001). Conclusion: Suturing of the anterior region of the PH is crucial in the treatment of DLM injury with instability in the popliteal tendon region.

[Research progress on pathological mechanism and clinical correlation between medial meniscus posterior root tear and tibial rotation].

Objective: To summarize the current research progress on the concept, clinical presentation, diagnosis, biomechanical changes, and pathological mechanisms of the medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT), and its clinical correlations with tibial rotation. Methods: The research literature on MMPRT and its relationship with tibial rotation at home and abroad in recent years was extensively consulted and summarized. Results: MMPRT is a specific and common type of medial meniscus injury of the knee joint. The occurrence of posterior medial pumping pain events following low-energy trauma in patients provides important clues for the diagnosis of this injury, with MRI being the preferred imaging modality. The biomechanical effects generated by MMPRT are similar to those caused by total removal of the medial meniscus. And this injury is usually associated with tibial rotation. MMPRT induces pathological external rotation of the tibia, which can be restored by timely medial meniscus posterior root repair. Furthermore, changes in tibial rotation are related to the healing status after medial meniscus posterior root repair. Conclusion: MMPRT is closely related to tibial rotation. Understanding the biomechanics, pathological mechanisms, and clinical correlations between the two is of great significance for improving the diagnosis and treatment strategies.

The relevance of knee arthroscopy photographs in medicolegal proceedings.

PURPOSE: Whether photographs included in the operative report of knee arthroscopies can make the surgeon liable in the event of a legal investigation remains unknown. The main objective of this study was to establish inter-observer reliability in determining the presence or absence of lesions of the cartilage, meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Secondary objective was to assess the inter-observer reliability in classifying lesions. METHOD: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a continuous serie of 60 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy from the same operator. The photographs of each patient's operative report were presented separately to three experts, blinded to each other. Each expert had to decide on the presence or absence of injuries to the following structures: meniscal, cartilage and ACL and then, classify it. Primary and secondary endpoints were evaluated using the Fleiss' kappa index. RESULTS: Inter-observer reliability for lesion detection was between 0.4 and 0.61 for all structures with three exceptions: for cartilage, it was low (0.15) at the lateral tibial plateau and poor (-0.01) at the external condyle. On the contrary, the concordance was almost perfect (0.8) for the ACL. For classifying cartilaginous and meniscal lesions, inter-observer reliability was poor (from 0.03 to 0.14), except for at the lateral meniscus (0.65). CONCLUSION: Inter-observer reliability of arthroscopic knee diagnoses is poor when photographs alone are used. In the event of a legal investigation following knee arthroscopy, the photographs included in the operative report should not be used alone to hold the surgeon liable.

Clinical and radiologic outcomes in patients with meniscal root tears.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal root tears can lead to early knee osteoarthritis and pain. This study aimed (1) to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscal root repair after meniscal root tears and those who received non-surgical treatment, and (2) to identify whether baseline MRI findings could be potential predictors for future treatment strategies. METHODS: Patients with meniscal root tears were identified from our picture archiving and communication system from 2016 to 2020. Two radiologists reviewed radiographs and MRI studies using Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading and a modified Whole Organ MRI Scoring (WORMS) at baseline and follow-up. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of follow-up radiographs and MRI studies were 134 (44-443) days and 502 (260-1176) days, respectively. MR images were assessed for root tear-related findings. Pain scores using visual analogue scale (VAS) and management strategies (non-surgical vs. arthroscopic root repair) were also collected. Chi-squared tests and independent t-tests were used to assess differences regarding clinical and imaging variables between treatment groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between baseline MRI findings and each future treatment. RESULTS: Ninety patients were included. VAS pain scores were significantly (p < 0.01) lower after arthroscopic repair compared to conservative treatment (1.27±0.38vs.4±0.52) at the last follow-up visit with median (IQR) of 325 (180-1391) days. Increased meniscal extrusion (mm) was associated with higher odds of receiving non-surgical treatment (OR = 1.65, 95%CI 1.02-2.69, p = 0.04). The odds of having arthroscopic repair increased by 19% for every 1 mm increase in the distance of the tear from the root attachment (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.05-1.36, p < 0.01). The odds of undergoing arthroscopic repair were reduced by 49% for every 1 mm increase in the extent of meniscal extrusion (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29-0.91, p = 0.02) as observed in the baseline MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic repair had lower pain scores than patients with conservative treatment in the follow-up. Distance of the torn meniscus to the root attachment and the extent of meniscal extrusion were significant predictors for arthroscopic repair in the next three weeks (time from the baseline MRI to the surgery date).

Absorbable Sutures Repair Without Meniscopexy, Results in Superior Outcomes for Discoid Lateral Meniscus With Meniscocapsular Anterior Detachment in Children.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that meniscocapsular anterior detachment is the most common location of instability in children with a Discoid Lateral Meniscus (DLM), there is a lack of consensus about the type of repair that should be utilized for stabilization. The aim of this study was to determine the best fixation method for anterior detachment of DLM in children. Our hypothesis was that excessive rigidity with fixation would restrict meniscal mobility and increase the rate of failure or prevent full knee flexion. METHODS: This study was a retrospective single-center study consisting of 51 consecutive knees (45 children) with menico-capsular anterior detachment that underwent stabilization and minimal saucerization of the meniscus between 2007 and 2018. We aimed to compare the need for revision surgery and knee flexion between the different types of fixations utilized; namely we compared meniscopexy using anchors on the tibia (n=30) with outside-in arthroscopic soft tissue fixation (n=21), and absorbable (n=18) and nonabsorbable sutures (n=33) were compared. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 10.4 years (3 to 17) with a mean follow-up of 52 months (18 to 148). The group of knees treated with absorbable sutures had a significantly better rate of full knee flexion (15/18) compared with the nonabsorbable group (17/33) ( P =0.03). Despite the absence of significance ( P =007), there was a lower rate of revision surgery due to suture failure in the soft tissue fixation group (0 revision operations) compared with the meniscopexy group (5 revision operations). CONCLUSIONS: For anterior meniscocapsular detachment of DLM, it is recommended to perform soft tissue fixation with absorbable sutures, as this technique resulted in better knee flexion and a lower rate of revision surgery when compared with meniscopexy and nonabsorbable suture fixation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-retrospective case studies.

[Meniscus update]. / Update Meniskus.

Meniscus tears are classified as horizontal, longitudinal, radial, and complex tears. Flap tears are a specific form in which a portion of the meniscus is displaced from a horizontal or longitudinal tear. The question of whether it is possible to preserve the meniscus by meniscus repair is of crucial therapeutic importance. It is therefore important to specify not only the configuration of the tear but also its extent and location as precisely as possible. Cooper's zonal classification should also be used for this purpose. Lesions of the meniscus roots are of high clinical relevance. On the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, root lesions are usually degenerative; on the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus, they are often traumatic. It is important to familiarize oneself with the normal appearance and anatomical location of the meniscal roots. Ramp lesions have received particular attention in recent years, especially in patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears. Therefore, particularly the integrity of the attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus to the tibial plateau must be analyzed. If the meniscotibial ligament tears along its course or at the insertion to the meniscus or if it avulses with a meniscus fragment, this is a ramp lesion.

Modulation of early osteoarthritis by tibiofemoral re-alignment in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether tibiofemoral alignment influences early knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized that varus overload exacerbates early degenerative osteochondral changes, and that valgus underload diminishes early OA. METHOD: Normal, over- and underload were induced by altering alignment via high tibial osteotomy in adult sheep (n = 8 each). Simultaneously, OA was induced by partial medial anterior meniscectomy. At 6 weeks postoperatively, OA was examined in five individual subregions of the medial tibial plateau using Kellgren-Lawrence grading, quantification of macroscopic OA, semiquantitative histopathological OA and immunohistochemical type-II collagen, ADAMTS-5, and MMP-13 scoring, biochemical determination of DNA and proteoglycan contents, and micro-computed tomographic evaluation of the subchondral bone. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses revealed that OA cartilaginous changes had a temporal priority over subchondral bone changes. Underload inhibited early cartilage degeneration in a characteristic topographic pattern (P ≥ 0.0983 vs. normal), in particular below the meniscal damage, avoided alterations of the subarticular spongiosa (P ≥ 0.162 vs. normal), and prevented the disturbance of otherwise normal osteochondral correlations. Overload induced early alterations of the subchondral bone plate microstructure towards osteopenia, including significantly decreased percent bone volume and increased bone surface-to-volume ratio (all P ≤ 0.0359 vs. normal). CONCLUSION: The data provide high-resolution evidence that tibiofemoral alignment modulates early OA induced by a medial meniscus injury in adult sheep. Since underload inhibits early OA, these data also support the clinical value of strategies to reduce the load in an affected knee compartment to possibly decelerate structural OA progression.