To compare the long-term reoperation rates of meniscectomy and meniscal repair and to determine patient and surgical factors associated with earlier reoperation among patients ≥40 years.

A retrospective study was conducted using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2020. Patients 40 and older who received a meniscectomy or a meniscal repair with a minimum 1-year follow-up were included. The primary outcome was ipsilateral knee reoperation during the study period. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to determine differences in reoperation rates for meniscal repair and meniscectomy over time. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with earlier time to reoperation.

A total of 3,026 patients (2,367 meniscectomy, 659 meniscal repair) were included. Mean follow-up was 14.5 ± 0.29 years (range, 1.0-14.91 years). There were no significant differences in baseline demographic characteristics of follow-up between the 2 groups. The survival curves of the 2 procedures significantly differed (P = .02), and the overall reoperation rate was higher after meniscal repair than meniscectomy (13.5% vs 10.1%, P = .01). However, the incidence of subsequent ipsilateral meniscectomy, meniscal repair, and knee arthroplasty procedures did not significantly differ. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified meniscal repair, obesity, concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and increasing age as being significant risks for earlier reoperation, and male sex was protective.

In a population of patients aged ≥40 with surgically treated meniscal tears and 14.5-year average follow-up, meniscal repair was associated with higher overall reoperation with shorter survival times compared to meniscectomy. However, the indications for the 2 procedures likely differed. Additionally, obesity, older age, female sex, and concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were risk factors for earlier reoperation.

Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

To characterize the incidence of meniscus surgery from 2010 to 2020 in the United States, using the metrics of age, sex, type of meniscus surgery, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

A retrospective analysis was performed using the PearlDiver national insurance claims database from 2010 to 2020. Meniscus surgeries were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients were stratified by procedure type, age, biological sex, and CCI scores. Compound annual growth rate analysis and analysis of variance were performed to analyze the trends and demographic variables between cohorts.

Of 2,053,884 meniscus surgeries, 94.7% were meniscectomies, 0.3% were open repairs, 4.9% were arthroscopic repairs, and 0.1% were meniscal transplantations. Compound annual growth rate analysis displayed a 4.0% decrease per year in total meniscus surgery. For individual procedure types, the largest decrease was in meniscectomy, and the largest increase was in open repair. Patients undergoing meniscal transplantation were youngest, with the lowest CCI. Meniscectomy patients were oldest, and open repair patients had the highest average CCI. Most procedures were performed on female patients (52.4%) and patients in the 50- to 59-year age group (30.4%).

There was a sustained decrease in the incidence of total meniscus surgeries from 2010 to 2020. Meniscectomy was the procedure with the highest incidence, but it showed the most significant decline in usage over the study period. Conversely, meniscal repair and transplantation procedures increased during the study period.

Level IV, epidemiologic study.

Meniscus tears are some of the most commonly managed orthopedic injuries that affect a wide variety of patient populations. Traditionally, meniscus tears were treated either conservatively or with partial meniscectomy. However, recent technological innovations have generated a rapid evolution in the modern evaluation and treatment of meniscus tears. The primary objective of this review is to provide a detailed overview of long-term results of meniscus repair after greater than five to ten years follow up, highlighting modern surgical techniques, clinical and radiologic outcomes, rates of failure and revision surgery, as well as emerging insights and future directions.

Advancements in arthroscopic implants and techniques helped establish meniscus repair as the preferred approach for treating many meniscal tears due to its ability to preserve native knee kinematics and decrease the risk of osteoarthritic progression. In properly indicated patients, long-term clinical data supports performing meniscus repair over traditional treatments, such as partial meniscectomy, to preserve overall knee function and longevity. The impact of tear morphology on healing rates, potential for biologic augmentation, and optimal postoperative rehabilitation are substantial areas of active research. Undertaking a comprehensive, individualized approach evaluating careful patient selection, sound surgical technique, and ideal rehabilitation strategies is critical to guiding treatment decisions and achieving long-term successful outcomes.

To (1) establish cohort-specific minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) thresholds for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) values and legacy knee-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after isolated medial meniscal posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair using the transtibial pull-out repair technique; (2) determine achievement rates; and (3) analyze correlations among scores.

Patients undergoing primary isolated MMPRT transtibial pull-out repair with preoperative and minimum 2-year postoperative data were analyzed. PROMs included the PROMIS-Pain Interference (PI) score, PROMIS-Physical Function (PF) score, PROMIS-Depression (D) score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Jr (KOOS Jr), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Paired 2-tailed Student t tests evaluated PROM changes from preoperatively to postoperatively, with the level of significance at P < .05. MCID thresholds were determined using the distribution-based method, whereas PASS thresholds were anchor based. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare PROM scores.

Sixty-eight patients (mean age, 57.2 ± 9.7 years; 75.0% female sex; mean body mass index, 32.2 ± 6.1) were included and followed up for 32.9 ± 10.6 months. From preoperatively to final follow-up, all PROMs significantly improved (P < .05). The MCID thresholds and achievement rates were 6.5 and 63%, respectively, for the PROMIS-PF score; -5.7 and 69%, respectively, for the PROMIS-PI score; -4.8 and 50%, respectively, for the PROMIS-D score; 10.5 and 87%, respectively, for the IKDC score; and 10.3 and 75%, respectively, for the KOOS Jr. The PASS thresholds and rates were 47.8 and 59%, respectively, for the PROMIS-PF score; 53.6 and 54%, respectively, for the PROMIS-PI score; 40.5 and 49%, respectively, for the PROMIS-D score; 67.7 and 66%, respectively, for the IKDC score; and 72.3 and 66%, respectively, for the KOOS Jr. The strongest correlations were observed between the PROMIS-PI score and the KOOS Jr (r = -0.687) and IKDC score (r = -0.660). The PROMIS-D score showed the weakest correlations with the KOOS Jr and IKDC score (r = 0.395 and r = -0.399, respectively). Knee-specific PROMs showed a strong correlation with each other (r = 0.710).

This study establishes cohort-specific MCID and PASS thresholds for the PROMIS subscale scores, IKDC score, and KOOS Jr at a minimum 2-year follow-up after isolated transtibial pull-out MMPRT repair. At 2 years, the MCID and PASS were achieved by 63% and 59% of patients, respectively, for the PROMIS-PF score; 69% and 54%, respectively, for the PROMIS-PI score; and 50% and 49%, respectively, for the PROMIS-D score. For the IKDC score and KOOS Jr, the MCID rates were 87% and 75%, respectively, and the PASS rates were 66% and 66%, respectively.

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Meniscus repair is preferred over meniscectomy when possible due to its ability to preserve meniscal tissue and reduce long-term joint degeneration. However, meniscus repair has a risk of failure, resulting in an increasing number of patients presenting with symptoms following a failed repair. Revision meniscus repair remains an option for symptomatic patients, yet guidance on indications, surgical techniques, and expected outcomes is limited. The purpose of this review is to summarize indications, surgical approaches, and outcomes associated with revision meniscus repair.

Patient-specific factors such as age, activity level, and modifiable risk factors influence revision repair success. Younger, highly active individuals may be at higher risk of retear due to increased mechanical stress. Tissue quality and vascularity are critical, as degenerative changes and poor perfusion increase failure rates. The gold-standard inside-out technique is often favored for revision repairs due to its superior biomechanical stability. However, all-inside and outside-in techniques remain viable options in specific cases. Biological augmentation, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and marrow venting, may enhance healing potential but requires further investigation. Revision meniscus repair demonstrates comparable failure rates and functional outcomes to primary repair, with reported failure rates ranging from 21-33% at mid-term follow-up. Many patients successfully return to high levels of activity following revision repair. Although younger age and high activity levels may predispose to failure, revision meniscus repair remains a viable option for preserving meniscal integrity and optimizing long-term joint health.

To systematically review the literature regarding the biomechanical properties of different repair techniques and fixation methods for vertically oriented meniscal tears.

Human cadaveric studies evaluating the biomechanical properties of different repair techniques for vertically oriented meniscal tears were identified using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health databases. Primary outcomes included load to failure, displacement, stiffness, peak contact pressure, and contact area of repaired menisci. Repair techniques from included studies were reclassified into a total of 19 distinct all-inside (AI), inside-out (IO), or outside-in (OI) techniques.

Sixteen studies were included (420 total menisci). Contact pressure and area were restored to intact-state values across all 5 compressive load studies at low knee flexion angles but not at greater knee flexion angles (i.e., >60°). There were no significant differences in contact pressure or area between AI, IO, and OI techniques across all studies. Some studies demonstrated statistically significant advantages in tensile properties with IO techniques when compared with AI techniques, whereas others found AI techniques to be superior. No studies directly compared tensile properties of OI techniques with those of AI or IO techniques. Vertical mattress suture configurations resulted in significantly greater load to failure and decreased displacement compared with horizontal mattress configurations in 67% of studies comparing the 2 techniques. There was no difference in the rate of tissue failure in AI (66.97%), IO (60.38%), or OI (66.67%, χ2 = 0.83, P = .66) techniques.

Contact mechanics are reliably restored after repair of vertical meniscal tears at low flexion angles but inconsistently restored at greater flexion angles, regardless of technique. Vertical mattress configurations outperformed horizontal mattress configurations under tensile load. There are conflicting data regarding the comparison of tensile properties between AI and IO techniques. Ultimately, neither AI, IO, nor OI repair demonstrated superior biomechanical properties in the present literature.

Several repair techniques demonstrate favorable biomechanical properties for vertical meniscal tears under tensile and compressive loads. Neither AI, IO, nor OI repair techniques demonstrate superior biomechanical properties at this time.

Meniscal tears are one of the most common knee injuries. After the diagnosis of a meniscal tear has been made, there are several factors physicians use to guide clinical decision-making. The influence of time between injury and isolated meniscus repair on patient outcomes is not well described. Assessing this relationship is important as it may influence clinical decision-making and can add to the preoperative patient education process. We hypothesized that increasing the time from injury to meniscus surgery would worsen postoperative outcomes.

To investigate the current literature for data on the relationship between time between meniscus injury and repair on patient outcomes.

METHODSPubMed, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched for studies published between January 1, 1995 and July 13, 2023 on isolated meniscus repair. Exclusion criteria included concomitant ligament surgery, incomplete outcomes or time to surgery data, and meniscectomies. Patient demographics, time to injury, and postoperative outcomes from each study were abstracted and analyzed.

Five studies met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. There were 204 (121 male, 83 female) patients included. Three of five (60%) studies determined that time between injury and surgery was not statistically significant for postoperative Lysholm scores (P = 0.62), Tegner scores (P = 0.46), failure rate (P = 0.45, P = 0.86), and International Knee Documentation Committee scores (P = 0.65). Two of five (40%) studies found a statistically significant increase in Lysholm scores with shorter time to surgery (P = 0.03) and a statistically significant association between progression of medial meniscus extrusion ratio (P = 0.01) and increasing time to surgery.

Our results do not support the hypothesis that increased time from injury to isolated meniscus surgery worsens postoperative outcomes. Decision-making primarily based on injury interval is thus not recommended.

The management of meniscal radial tears has changed significantly in recent years in favor of meniscus repair. However, there is still limited published data on the outcomes and risk factors associated with repair failure. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical success rate of repaired meniscal radial tears and identify potential risk factors for failure.

Patients who underwent repair of meniscal radial tears between 2016 and 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. The following parameters were collected: demographic data, pre-operative Kellgren-Lawrence grading, history of previous knee surgeries, time from injury to surgery, injury location, number of sutures used, use of transtibial tunnel augmentation, associated procedures, postoperative functional scores, and clinical failure rates.

81 patients were included, with a mean age of 29.9 ± 12.3 years. The mean follow-up time was 36.7 ± 17.0 months. Postoperatively, the mean IKDC was 81 ± 18.1, and the mean Lysholm score was 82 ± 18.4. The clinical failure rate was 19.8%. In the univariate analysis, the factors associated with failure included increased age, female gender, medial meniscus repair, isolated repairs (without ACL reconstruction), a Kellgren-Lawrence scale greater than 0, and repairs without a transtibial tunnel. However, none of these variables were statistically significant in the multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender.

The clinical success rate of repaired meniscal radial tears was about 80% after a minimum 2-year follow-up. Increased age, female gender, repair of medial meniscus, isolated repair without ACL reconstruction, mild preoperative osteoarthritic signs, and repair without a transtibial tunnel augmentation are possible risk factors for failure.

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Current knowledge on the microvascular anatomy of adult human menisci is based on cadaveric studies. However, considerable interindividual variation in meniscal microvascularization has been reported in recent studies with small sample sizes.

To assess the association between patient characteristics and the depth of microvascularization of the meniscus.

Descriptive laboratory study.

Menisci from 174 patients who received total knee replacement between March 2021 and December 2023 were collected. A total of 174 lateral and 102 medial menisci were included. Three sections were made from each meniscus: the anterior horn, midbody, and posterior horn. Immunohistochemical staining (CD-31) was used to visualize the microvasculature. The 4 primary outcome measures were the correlation between the depth of microvascular penetration into the lateral meniscus (0%-100%) and (1) age, (2) smoking, (3) degree of osteoarthritis, and (4) history of cardiovascular disease. To account for repeated measurements within each patient, a linear mixed-effects model was estimated to study the association between microvascularization and the patient's characteristics previously introduced.

The depth of vascular penetration ranged from 0% to 78% into the lateral menisci and from 0% to 67% into the medial menisci. No significant correlations were found between age, smoking, degree of osteoarthritis, or history of cardiovascular disease and the degree of vascular penetration into the lateral meniscus. The linear mixed-effects model analysis, adjusted for location within the meniscus (anterior horn, midbody, or posterior horn) and meniscal side (lateral or medial), showed no significant associations between the same patient characteristics and meniscal microvascularization.

The degree of microvascular penetration into the meniscus has a wide range among adults >50 years. However, the depth of microvascularization was not associated with age, smoking, degree of osteoarthritis, or history of cardiovascular disease.

Because no associations were found between depth of microvascular penetration into the meniscus and patient characteristics, the latter cannot be used to estimate the vascular status of a meniscal tear in clinical practice.

Meniscus tears are common, occurring acutely during sports or as degenerative tears with aging. Limited information exists about the public's understanding of these injuries and their management.

This study aimed to evaluate the public's baseline understanding of meniscus tear management and assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention to improve their understanding.

Level III, Cross-Sectional Study.

A 33-question survey on meniscus anatomy, injury risk, diagnosis, treatment, and surgical expectations was distributed online to adults aged 18+ over 5 months from the beginning of July. An educational video and handout were provided to improve baseline knowledge. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, McNemar's test, and a paired t-test to measure pre- and post-intervention changes.

Baseline surveys from 245 participants showed 66.9% were women, 69.4% were aged 18-29, and 63.7% were white. 46.1% held a bachelor's degree, and 90.2% had limited knowledge of meniscus tears. 76% believed surgery was necessary, 84% thought degenerative tears were repairable, and 65% didn't understand the link to osteoarthritis. Most expected over 3 months for recovery. Higher scores were associated with male gender, healthcare experience, and prior knowledge (p < 0.05). Post-intervention, correct responses rose from 45.3% to 75% (p < 0.001) among 118 participants.

Significant misconceptions about meniscus tears were identified. An educational intervention notably improved knowledge of meniscus anatomy, its link to osteoarthritis, and treatment options. This underscores the importance of education in aligning patient expectations with current medical practices to enhance care quality.

Limited biomechanical evidence exists describing how horizontal meniscus tears (HMTs), meniscal repair (MR), and meniscectomy alter the knee's biomechanical environment.

To evaluate changes in knee contact mechanics following HMTs, MR, and meniscectomy.

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 5.

PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched for biomechanical cadaveric studies of HMTs up to January 16, 2023, using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies that (1) did not examine MRs or meniscectomies, (2) did not report contact area (CA) or pressure, (3) involved concomitant injuries (eg, anterior cruciate ligament tear), (4) were nonbiomechanical studies (eg, review, technique, and clinical), and (5) were non-English language articles were excluded. The endpoints were peak contact pressure (PCP) and mean CA.

Out of 1526 initial results, 6 studies were included for final review. PCP and CA were measured in 59 intact menisci, 59 HMTs, 59 partial meniscectomies (PM), 59 complete meniscectomies (CM), and 33 MR. Among all HMTs versus the intact state, pooled PCP increased by 14.2%, and pooled CA decreased by 7.1%. Among all PMs versus the intact state, 4 of 6 studies found significantly increased PCP (27.1%), and 5 found significantly reduced CA (22.1%). Among all CMs versus the intact state, all 6 studies found significantly increased PCP (54.5%), and 5 found significantly reduced CA (33%). Among the 3 studies directly comparing PM to CM, 2 studies found PM to have significantly smaller increases in PCP (23.3% vs 52.4%) and significantly smaller reductions in CA (16.7% vs 28.1%) from the intact state.) The 3 studies evaluating MR versus the intact state found no significant difference in PCP or CA.

After an HMT, MR had the smallest deviations in contact mechanics; only MR restored contact mechanics to the uninjured state. These findings support MR's superiority, illustrate that maintaining contact mechanics requires preserving meniscal tissue, and are consistent with clinical evidence. More clinical comparisons are needed to understand the differences among treatments.

Meniscal injuries pose a significant orthopedic challenge, demanding a thorough understanding of demographic and injury-related factors for successful treatment. The importance of age, body mass index (BMI), time from trauma to surgery, injury causes, patient occupation, and the presence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in influencing postoperative outcomes prompted this prospective cross-sectional clinical study.

Conducted from November 2022 to July 2023 with 30 patients, this study utilized rigorous methodologies, employing both analysis of variance and Spearman's correlation analyses. The aim was to comprehensively assess the relationships among these factors and postoperative results in meniscal surgery patients.

The study found that early surgical intervention significantly improved outcomes for meniscal injuries, with patients operated on within two months achieving 100% excellent and good results, compared to 50% for those treated after six months. Younger age, lower BMI, and sports-related injuries were associated with better postoperative Lysholm scores, while higher BMI and delayed surgery correlated with poorer outcomes. Patients with concurrent ACL injuries had a 95.4% rate of excellent and good results, compared to 50% for those with intact ACLs.

This study underscores the pivotal role of age, BMI, and ACL injury considerations in shaping effective treatment strategies for meniscal injuries. The nuanced insights gained from the analysis emphasize the critical importance of early surgical intervention, particularly in cases involving ACL injuries, to optimize postoperative outcomes.

Bucket-handle meniscal tears (BHMTs) are a common subtype of meniscal tears that represent a clinical challenge. Arthroscopic inside-out repair has been considered the gold standard in treatment; however, an all-inside approach has gained widespread popularity, with limited long-term evidence.

The purpose of this study was to (1) compare long-term clinical outcomes and rates of failure after surgical repair of BHMTs using the all-inside versus inside-out technique, and 2) identify risk factors for failure at long-term follow-up. It was hypothesized that clinical outcomes and rates of failure would be similar between the 2 techniques.

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Patients who had undergone surgical repair of BHMTs between 2003 and 2013 at a single institution were identified. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were assessed preoperatively and at the latest follow-up using the Tegner scale, International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire, and visual analog scale pain at rest and with activity. A univariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors for repair failure, defined as revision meniscal surgery and/or documented meniscal retear.

In total, 63 patients were included (37 with inside-out repair, 26 with all-inside repair). At a mean follow-up of 11.2 years, the survival rate for BHMT repair was 63% overall, 70% for all-inside repairs, and 60% for inside-out repairs (P = .37). The mean time to failure was 2.6 years for all-inside repairs and 2.5 years for inside-out repairs (P = .98). PROM scores were not significantly different between the 2 repair groups (P > .22). Univariate Cox proportional hazards model for failure demonstrated that increasing age at surgery was associated with lower failure rates (hazard ratio, 0.91 change per 1-year increase in age; 95% CI, 0.84-0.98) and medial meniscus repair was associated with higher failure rates (hazard ratio, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.14-8.77).

Long-term follow-up of BHMT repair demonstrated satisfactory clinical outcomes and failure rates. In appropriately selected patients, the all-inside technique did not compromise outcome as compared with the inside-out repair techniques. For both methods, older age was associated with lower failure rates and medial meniscus repair was associated with increased failure.

While meniscal repair is preferable to meniscectomy, some cases may be at higher risk of failure if repaired. Incorporating fibrin clot (FC) into the repair has been proposed to improve healing rates. The purpose of this study was to determine the failure rates, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and complications of FC augmented meniscal repair for cases considered to be at higher risk of failure.

A retrospective case series of all patients undergoing FC augmented repair of isolated meniscus tears between January 2016 and September 2021 was undertaken. All cases were thought be at higher risk of failure; they included chronic, radial, complex, horizontal cleavage, and tears not in the red-red zone. Patients were excluded if they had a concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction or if the repair was done through an open incision. The primary outcome was clinical failure defined as further repair or debridement. Secondary outcomes were PROMs and surgical complications. PROMs collected were Lysholm score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Oxford Knee Score and the Tegner score.

Fifty one inside-out meniscal repairs using FC were performed in 50 patients (62% male). The mean age was 34 years (range 14-70). The median time from injury to repair was 122 days (range 4-1565). The medial meniscus was repaired in 63% of cases. Tear types included radial (31%) and complex (39%) and 71% of cases included repair of the white-white zone. 16% of cases were revision meniscal repairs. FC was used in 43% of isolated meniscal repairs during the study period. All patients were followed up to a median of 46 months (range 22-87 months). PROMs at a median of 30 months post-operatively showed statistically significant improvements. Five patients (10%) underwent further surgery for failure after median 21 months. Two patients (4%) reported sensory disturbance around their skin wounds, no other complications were reported. 13% of medial meniscal repairs failed, whereas only 5% of lateral meniscal repairs failed (p ​= ​0.4).

FC augmented meniscal repair performed for tears considered to be at higher risk of failure may result in acceptably low rates of clinical failure.

Level IV, case series.

To evaluate how arthroscopic meniscectomy utilization, reimbursement, physician billing practices, and patient populations have changed within the Medicare population from 2013 to 2021 at a national level and regional level.

The Medicare Physician & Other Practitioners database was queried for all episodes of 2-compartment and single-compartment arthroscopic meniscectomy between 2013 and 2021. Utilization per 10,000 beneficiaries and average inflation-adjusted reimbursement were assessed. Physician practice styles, measured through changes in the services billed, and Medicare beneficiary demographic characteristics were extracted each year. The Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to compare regions.

Between 2013 and 2021, two-compartment meniscectomy utilization per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries declined by 54.9% and single-compartment meniscectomy utilization declined by 54.2%. Average reimbursement declined by 9.3% and 12.5% for 2-compartment meniscectomy and single-compartment meniscectomy, respectively. In 2021, the South had the highest utilization of both 2-compartment (3.8/10,000) and single-compartment (4.7/10,000) meniscectomies while having the lowest average reimbursement for 2-compartment meniscectomy ($383.02, P < .001). Nationally, the average number of beneficiaries per surgeon performing single-compartment meniscectomy declined by 3.8% whereas the average number of billable services performed per beneficiary increased by 46.6%. The comorbidity risk score of these patients decreased by 8.7%, with the West having the healthiest patients in 2021.

Meniscectomy utilization and reimbursement have been declining nationally within the Medicare population. Surgeons in the South performed the most meniscectomies while having among the lowest reimbursement. The practice patterns of surgeons performing meniscectomies have been changing, with surgeons performing nearly 50% more total billable services per beneficiary while performing fewer unique billable services. Additionally, the patient population of surgeons who perform meniscectomy was healthier in 2021 than in 2013.

This study highlights changes in meniscectomy utilization and reimbursement over time in the face of changing evidence of meniscectomy use in elderly patients and new Medicare legislature regarding reimbursement.

A meniscus tear ranks among the most common sports-related injuries, especially among athletes. Sudden, twisting movements, such as pivoting to catch a ball, usually in contact sports, and can tear the meniscus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology is extensively utilized for identifying meniscal tears. A flag sign on an MRI typically indicates a partial or complete meniscal root tear. We present a case where a "flag sign" was attributed to a medial meniscal root fragment in an adolescent water polo player.

A 15-year-old male patient suffered a knee injury (mild swelling and pain) while playing as a goalkeeper in water polo. A physical examination revealed negative Lachman and positive medial McMurray tests. MRI images showed a typical flag sign, without any other concomitant injuries. An arthroscopic medial meniscectomy was performed. 8 months post-operatively the injuries were well healed. In this instance, the flag sign caused interference with the MRI evaluation of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

This case highlights the importance for clinicians to meticulously assess both the morphological changes in the meniscus and its relationship with the femoral condyle before arriving at a definitive diagnosis even in the athletes of non-contact sports. The meniscal "flag sign" mimics the ACL signal on MRI.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most prevalent degenerative joint diseases worldwide. The herbal decoction, Dokhwalgisaeng-tang (DHGST), has been commonly used in East Asia to treat osteoarthritis. However, there is insufficient evidence to draw clear conclusions concerning its effectiveness and safety for patients with KOA. We aim to determine the efficacy, safety, and economic feasibility of DHGST compared with Celecoxib, an oral COX-2 inhibitor, for patients with degenerative KOA.

This multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial, involving 160 participants who will be randomized using block randomization with 1:1 allocation, will compare DHGST and Celecoxib. The total trial period is 24 weeks after random allocation, comprising 12 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up. Participants with KOA will be administered 200 mg of DHGST (treatment group) or Celecoxib capsules (control group) for 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety evaluations will be conducted at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, and 24. The primary outcome measurement is the Korean Western Ontario McMaster score at week 12. Changes in pain intensity using a 100 mm visual analog scale, changes in quality of life using a EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level self-report survey, and patient satisfaction will also be measured to evaluate effectiveness between the two groups. A trial-based economic feasibility evaluation will be conducted to analyze treatment cost-effectiveness from societal and healthcare system perspectives. Drug safety will be assessed through adverse reactions and laboratory test findings.

This trial protocol has the following limitations. Applying a double-dummy design is not possible, as the tablet and granule forms can easily be distinguished visually, and achieving participant blinding is challenging. The trial findings are intended to inform participants, physicians, and other stakeholders in determining whether DHGST could be used as an alternative therapeutic option for KOA.

KCT0008424 (Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea), registered on 12 May 2023.

Characterizing the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the meniscus is critical in studying knee damage and pathology. This study aims to determine the UTS of the meniscus with an emphasis on its heterogeneity and anisotropy. We performed tensile tests to failure on the menisci of six month old Yorkshire pigs at a low strain rate. Specimens from the anterior, middle and posterior regions of the meniscus were tested in the radial and circumferential directions. Then the UTS was obtained for each specimen and the data were analyzed statistically, leading to a comprehensive view of the variations in porcine meniscal strength. The middle region has the highest average strength in the circumferential (43.3 ± 4.7 MPa) and radial (12.6 ± 2.2 MPa) directions. This is followed by the anterior and posterior regions, which present similar average values (about 34.0MPa) in circumferential direction. The average strength of each region in the radial direction is approximately one-fourth to one-third of the value in the circumferential direction. This study is novel as it is the first work to focus on the experimental methods to investigate the heterogeneity and anisotropy only for porcine meniscus.

Soccer is considered the most popular sport in the world. The game involves frequent agile maneuvers, such as rapid accelerations/decelerations and pivoting, and carries an inherent risk of high-speed collisions, which can lead to lower extremity injury. Knee and meniscus injuries can cause significant pain and disability, precluding participation in the sport. Understanding the diagnosis and management of meniscal injuries in soccer players is essential to the care of these athletes. This paper reviews meniscal anatomy, biomechanics, and mechanisms of injury; discusses the work-up, diagnosis, and management of meniscus injuries; and reports on rehabilitation, return to sport, and outcomes after meniscal injuries in soccer players.

Adequate postoperative pain control is an essential factor for the success of rehabilitation programs after meniscus repair (MR). The pulsed radiofrequency of the interspace between the popliteal artery and the posterior knee capsule (PRF-iPACK) is a recently developed method. This study aimed to evaluate the use of PRF-iPACK in patients who underwent MR. We performed PRF-iPACK guided by ultrasonography for patients who underwent MR with aggravated pain. PRF-iPACK was performed following MR four weeks after surgery. The pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Lysholm score, and the Euroqol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). In this study, two patients participated. For the results, a week and three months after treatment, the mean VAS score, Lysholm score, and EQ5D improved from 7 to 1 and 0 respectively, and 42 to 86 and 90 respectively, and 0.48 to 0.82 and 0.92 respectively. We concluded that PRF-iPACK is an adequate and safe procedure for managing postoperative pain after MR. It may enhance the postoperative rehabilitation program.

The purpose of this review is to summarize current clinical knowledge on the prevalence and types of meniscus pathology seen with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, as well as surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, and rehabilitation following operative management of these pathologies.

Meniscus pathology with concomitant ACL injury is relatively common, with reports of meniscus pathology identified in 21-64% of operative ACL injuries. These concomitant injuries have been associated with increased age and body mass index. Lateral meniscus pathology is more common in acute ACL injury, while medial meniscus pathology is more typical in chronic ACL deficiency. Meniscus tear patterns associated with concomitant ACL injury include meniscus root tears, lateral meniscus oblique radial tears of the posterior horn (14%), and ramp lesions of the medial meniscus (8-24%). These meniscal pathologies with concomitant ACL injury are associated with increased rotational laxity and meniscal extrusion. There is a paucity of comparative studies to determine the optimal meniscus repair technique, as well as rehabilitation protocol, depending on specific tear pattern, location, and ACL reconstruction technique. There has been a substantial increase in recent publications demonstrating the importance of meniscus repair at the time of ACL repair or reconstruction to restore knee biomechanics and reduce the risk of progressive osteoarthritic degeneration. Through these studies, there has been a growing understanding of the meniscus tear patterns commonly identified or nearly missed during ACL reconstruction. Surgical management of meniscal pathology with concomitant ACL injury implements the same principles as utilized in the setting of isolated meniscus repair alone: anatomic reduction, biologic preparation and augmentation, and circumferential compression. Advances in repair techniques have demonstrated promising clinical outcomes, and the ability to restore and preserve the meniscus in pathologies previously deemed irreparable. Further research to determine the optimal surgical technique for specific tear patterns, as well as rehabilitation protocols for meniscus pathology with concomitant ACL injury, is warranted.

Anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears are common among sports injuries. There are different techniques for addressing anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears, with distinct indications, advantages, and disadvantages. We present the case of a 23-year-old male who underwent right anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and posterior horn medial meniscus repair using an all-inside technique via superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) pie-crusting. Clinical examination and radiological investigations a few months later identified calcifications on the medial side of the right knee. We diagnosed the patient with heterotopic ossification post-sMCL pie-crusting; no apparent causal factors were present. To our knowledge, there have been no documented instances of heterotopic ossification following sMCL pie-crusting. In conclusion, heterotopic ossification may occur after sMCL pie-crusting; further studies are needed on this subject.

To investigate the influence of lateral meniscal and cartilage pathology on the outcome after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in patients who participate in pivoting sports.

Using a single-surgeon patient registry, patients undergoing an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft were evaluated with minimum 2-year patient reported outcomes evaluated using Marx, Tegner, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee scales. Patients were divided into 3 groups: isolated ACL surgery, ACLR with a partial lateral meniscectomy, or a ACLR with partial lateral meniscectomy and lateral compartment chondroplasty.

A total of 98 patients met inclusion criteria. Using the isolated ACL reconstruction group as a control, we found that Marx scores were greater in patients who additionally underwent a partial lateral meniscectomy at 1 year (P = .016). There were no significant differences between the ACL-only group and the ACL with partial lateral meniscectomy and chondroplasty group. Within the partial meniscectomy cohort comparing the patients with red-white zone tears with the patients with white-white zone tear, we found there were no significant differences when compared with the ACL-only control. There were no significant differences appreciated between groups using the International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner scales.

ACL reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft with anteromedial portal drilling technique does not have any significant short-term (2-year outcome) differences in return to activity and patient-reported outcomes compared with if patients additionally have a partial lateral meniscectomy and/or lateral compartment chondroplasty. Additional partial lateral meniscectomy showed significantly greater Marx scores at 1 and 2 years' postoperatively.

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and anatomic distribution of meniscus injury in patients who have sustained acute ACL injuries with and without concomitant Segond fracture. We hypothesized that patients who have sustained a torn ACL with a concomitant Segond fracture would have a higher incidence of lateral meniscal injuries than patients with an isolated ACL injury.

Patients who underwent ACL reconstruction from 2012 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Segond fractures were identified on knee radiographs. Inclusion criteria were age 18-40, injury during sports activity, and reconstruction within 90 days of injury. Sports activity, anatomic location of meniscus injury, and meniscus treatment were documented. Multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of meniscus injury/treatment.

There were 25 of 603 (4.1%) patients who had an ACL tear with concomitant Segond fracture. The incidence of lateral meniscus injury in the Segond group (72%) was significantly higher than in the non-Segond cohort (49%; p = 0.024). A significantly smaller proportion of medial meniscus injuries among patients with Segond fractures were repaired (23.1%) compared to the non-Segond group (54.2%; p = 0.043). Multivariate analysis found patients with Segond fractures to have increased odds of lateral meniscus injury (OR 2.68; [1.09, 6.60], p = 0.032) and were less likely to have medial meniscus injuries repaired (OR 0.35; [0.15, 0.81], p = 0.014). Additionally, males had increased odds of lateral meniscus injury (OR 1.54; [1.08 - 2.91], p = 0.017), which were more likely to require repair (OR 1.48; [1.02, 2.14], p = 0.038).

Among acute ACL injuries, the incidence of lateral meniscus injury is greater among patients with Segond fractures. Patients with Segond fracture were less likely to undergo repair of medial meniscal injuries.

The meniscus is divided into three zones according to its vascularity: an external vascularized red-red zone mainly comprising collagen I, a red-white interphase zone mainly comprising collagens I and II, and an internal white-white zone rich in collagen II. Known scaffolds used to treat meniscal injuries do not reflect the chemical composition of the vascular areas of the meniscus. Therefore, in this study, four composite zonal scaffolds (named A, B, C, and D) were developed and characterized; the developed scaffolds exhibited the main chemical components of the external (collagen I), interphase (collagens I/II), and internal (collagen II) zones of the meniscus. Noncomposite scaffolds were also produced (named E), which had the same shape as the composite scaffolds but were entirely made of collagen I. The composite zonal scaffolds were prepared using different concentrations of collagen I and the same concentration of collagen II and were either cross-linked with genipin or not cross-linked. Porous, biodegradable, and hydrophilic scaffolds with an expected chemical composition were obtained. Their pore size was smaller than the size reported for the meniscus substitutes; however, all scaffolds allowed the adhesion and proliferation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) and were not cytotoxic. Data from enzymatic degradation and hADSC proliferation assays were considered for choosing the cross-linked composite scaffolds along with the collagen I scaffold and to test if composite zonal scaffolds seeded with hADSC and cultured with differentiation medium produced fibrocartilage-like tissue different from that formed in noncomposite scaffolds. After 21 days of culture, hADSCs seeded on composite scaffolds afforded an extracellular matrix with aggrecan, whereas hADSCs seeded on noncomposite collagen I scaffolds formed a matrix-like fibrocartilage without aggrecan.

Introduction Meniscus tear is a commonly encountered sports-related injury requiring surgical intervention due to knee mobility dysfunction and discomfort. Previously, it has been thought that these are non-functional vestigial structures and they used to be excised commonly. Recent studies have shown that meniscal repair gives superior results when compared with partial meniscectomy. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Orthopedics Department, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 92 patients of both genders with meniscal injuries were included. Forty-six of them underwent meniscal repair (Group A), and 46 underwent partial meniscectomy (Group B). Functional outcome was noted after 12 weeks and recorded. Results The age range was from 18 to 50 years with a mean of 28.630±6.64 years in Group A and 29.630±8.12 years in Group B. Functional outcome was excellent in 44 (95.7%) patients who underwent meniscal repair as compared to 23 (50%) patients who underwent partial meniscectomy (P= 0.000). Conclusion It is concluded that meniscal repair should be pursued over partial meniscectomy when surgically treating meniscal tears.

Acute knee injuries are commonly encountered in both the clinical and sideline setting and may be treated operatively or non-operatively. This article describes an evidence-based approach to non-operative acute knee injury. This includes history, physical exam, imaging, and initial management. In addition, the non-operative management of three such injuries-ligament injury, meniscus injury, and patellar dislocation injury-will be discussed via a case-based practical approach.

Aside from grade III ACL tears, most acute knee ligament injuries, especially in the absence of other concurrent injuries, can be treated non-operatively. There is new evidence that acute traumatic meniscus tears in those younger than 40 can be successfully treated non-operatively and can do equally, as well as those that undergo surgery, at 1 year out from injury. Based on the current literature, a short period of knee bracing in extension with progression to weightbearing to tolerance is recommended after initial patellar dislocation. Many of the most common acute knee injuries, including MCL tears, meniscus tears, and patellar dislocations, can be managed non-operatively. A detailed systemic approach to initial evaluation, including pertinent history, physical exam, and appropriate imaging, is essential and complementary to the subsequent non-operative treatment algorithm.

Meniscal repair is the gold standard for simple morphology tears. However, when the morphology and chronicity of the tear are less favorable, the success of the standard techniques is reduced.

To compare meniscal repair augmented by a new bioresorbable implant (Meniscus Cap) versus a traditional simple suture technique and the currently available augmented repair collagen matrix meniscus wrapping technique. It was hypothesized that the Meniscus Cap suture technique would increase ultimate failure load and less displacement during cyclic loading.

Controlled laboratory study.

A total of 80 fresh porcine menisci were harvested. Complex tears were created in 60 menisci, and 20 intact menisci were tested as the control group. Repairs were performed on the 60 meniscal tears using 1 of the 3 techniques (20 menisci each): an inside-out H-suture group (SS), the collagen matrix wrapping technique (CMW), and the Meniscus Cap bioresorbable implant group (CM). The menisci were subjected to 500 loading cycles from 4 to 20 N at a frequency of 1 Hz, and the total displacement was recorded. Then, the specimens underwent load to failure testing at a rate of 3.15 mm/s, and the failure mode was noted.

After 500 cycles of cyclic loading, there were no significant differences in displacement between the controls and CM group (0.524 vs 0.448 mm; P = .95). The displacement after the CM was significantly smaller compared with the CMW and the SS (0.448 vs 1.077 mm [P = .0009] and 0.448 vs 0.848 mm [P = .04], respectively). The ultimate load to failure was significantly greater for the controls and the CM group compared with the SS and CMW groups (controls, 1278.7 N and CM, 628.5 N vs CMW, 380.1 N and SS, 345.1 N; P < .05). The failure mode was suture breakage (suture failure) for all repairs.

In a porcine specimen meniscal repair model, the biomechanical properties of a novel Meniscus Cap repair technique were superior to that of the simple suture and CMW techniques.

The results suggest that the Meniscal Cap repair technique may provide sufficient primary stability of the meniscal fixation even in the cases of complex meniscal tears.

Meniscal tears are common and may impair knee function and biomechanics. This meta-analysis compared meniscal repair versus resection in patients with symptomatic meniscal tears in terms of patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs), joint width, surgical failure, and rate of progression to osteoarthritis (OA) at conventional radiography.

This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In August 2023, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. Two reviewers independently performed the analysis and a methodological quality assessment of the included studies. All the clinical investigations which compared repair versus resection of meniscal tears were accessed.

Data from 20 studies (31,783 patients) were collected. The mean BMI was 28.28 ± 3.2 kg/m2, and the mean age was 37.6 ± 14.0 years. The mean time elapsed from injury to surgery was 12.1 ± 10.2 months and the mean medial joint width was 4.9 ± 0.8 mm. Between studies comparability at baseline was found in age, women, BMI, time from injury to surgery and length of the follow-up, PROMs, medial joint width, and stage of OA. The resection group demonstrated a greater Lysholm score (P = 0.02). No difference was found in the International Knee Documentation Committee (P = 0.2). Nine studies reported data on the rate of failures at a mean of 63.00 ± 24.7 months. No difference was found between the two groups in terms of persistent meniscal symptoms (P = 0.8). Six studies reported data on the rate of progression to total knee arthroplasty at a mean of 48.0 ± 14.7 months follow-up. The repair group evidenced a lower rate of progression to knee arthroplasty (P = 0.0001). Six studies reported data on the rate of advanced knee OA at a mean of 48.0 ± 14.7 months of follow-up. The repair group evidenced a lower rate of advanced knee OA (P = 0.0001). No difference was found in the mean joint space width (P = 0.09).

Meniscal repair is associated with a lower progression to knee osteoarthritis at approximately six years of follow-up compared to partial meniscectomy. No difference in PROMs, medial joint width, and failures were evidenced.

Level III, meta-analysis.

Meniscal injuries are increasingly common in older age groups. Age is often cited as a contraindication to undergoing meniscal repair due to concerns regarding failure rates. There has recently, however, been an increasing shift towards repair in older populations. The purpose of this study was to review outcomes of meniscal repair in patients over the age of 40.

A systematic search of the following databases was conducted of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify studies reporting failure rates of patients over 40 with meniscal injuries undergoing repair. The definition of meniscus failure was noted for each study evaluated in this systematic review. Further data surrounding clinical and radiological outcomes were recorded and evaluated, when available.

Thirteen studies were included in this review, encompassing a total of 316 meniscal repairs in patients over the age of 40 years. The overall failure rate was found to be 15.5% (49/316) (range 0-33.3%). There was no difference in the failure rate in those over 40 vs. under 40, and the two groups had equivalent functional outcomes.

Age should not be considered a contra-indication for meniscal repair. Appropriately selected older patients can have acceptably low failure rates with meniscal repair and similar functional outcomes to those under the age of forty. Meniscal repairs in those over 40 achieved better functional outcomes than patients of the same age group who underwent meniscectomy.

Concomitant lateral meniscal (LM) injuries are common in acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. However, the effect of addressing these injuries with various treatment methods during primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare postoperative Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 2-, 5-, and 10-years after isolated primary ACLR to primary ACLR with various treatment methods to address concomitant LM injury.

This study was based on data from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry. Patients ≥ 15 years with data on postoperative KOOS who underwent primary ACLR between the years 2005 and 2018 were included in this study. The study population was divided into five groups: 1) Isolated ACLR, 2) ACLR + LM repair, 3) ACLR + LM resection, 4) ACLR + LM injury left in situ, and 5) ACLR + LM repair + LM resection. Patients with concomitant medial meniscal or other surgically treated ligament injuries were excluded.

Of 31,819 included patients, 24% had LM injury. After post hoc comparisons, significantly lower scores were found for the KOOS Symptoms subscale in ACLR + LM repair group compared to isolated ACLR (76.0 vs 78.3, p = 0.0097) and ACLR + LM injury left in situ groups (76.0 vs 78.3, p = 0.041) at 2-year follow-up. However, at 10-year follow-up, no differences were found between ACLR + LM repair and isolated ACLR, but ACLR + LM resection resulted in significantly lower KOOS Symptoms scores compared to isolated ACLR (80.4 vs 82.3, p = 0.041).

The results of this study suggest that LM injury during ACLR is associated with lower KOOS scores, particularly in the Symptoms subscale, at short- and long-term follow-up. However, this finding falls below minimal clinical important difference and therefore may not be clinically relevant.

III.

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of 3 isolated meniscal repair (IMR) treatment strategies: platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-augmented IMR, IMR with a marrow venting procedure (MVP), and IMR without biological augmentation.

A Markov model was developed to evaluate the baseline case: a young adult patient meeting the indications for IMR. Health utility values, failure rates, and transition probabilities were derived from the published literature. Costs were determined based on the typical patient undergoing IMR at an outpatient surgery center. Outcome measures included costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).

Total costs of IMR with an MVP were $8,250; PRP-augmented IMR, $12,031; and IMR without PRP or an MVP, $13,326. PRP-augmented IMR resulted in an additional 2.16 QALYs, whereas IMR with an MVP produced slightly fewer QALYs, at 2.13. Non-augmented repair produced a modeled gain of 2.02 QALYs. The ICER comparing PRP-augmented IMR versus MVP-augmented IMR was $161,742/QALY, which fell well above the $50,000 willingness-to-pay threshold.

IMR with biological augmentation (MVP or PRP) resulted in a higher number of QALYs and lower costs than non-augmented IMR, suggesting that biological augmentation is cost-effective. Total costs of IMR with an MVP were significantly lower than those of PRP-augmented IMR, whereas the number of additional QALYs produced by PRP-augmented IMR was only slightly higher than that produced by IMR with an MVP. As a result, neither treatment dominated over the other. However, because the ICER of PRP-augmented IMR fell well above the $50,000 willingness-to-pay threshold, IMR with an MVP was determined to be the overall cost-effective treatment strategy in the setting of young adult patients with isolated meniscal tears.

Level III, economic and decision analysis.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of bucket-handle meniscal tears. Materials and methods Patients treated for arthroscopic meniscal tears between March 2019 and March 2022 were reviewed. The current study included all patients with bucket handle tears diagnosed arthroscopically and having MRI scans (n=51). A control group of 58 individuals with similar demographic characteristics and meniscal tears apart from bucket handle tears was also formed. The assessment of bucket handle and non-bucket handle tears was performed blindly by a musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist with 20 years of experience and a trainee radiologist, achieving consensus on group allocation. The MRIs were examined for various findings, including the presence of a bucket handle tear, tear location, presence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, intercondyler notch sign, double anterior horn sign, flipped meniscus sign, double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sign, absent bow sign, and the disproportionate posterior horn sign. These well-known signs, detailed in the literature, were evaluated. Additionally, less studied and less commonly known signs such as the V sign and double anterior cruciate ligament sign were assessed. The V sign appears similarly to the letter V, resulting from the displacement of the bucket handle tear and the angle of the intact meniscus on axial images. The double anterior cruciate ligament sign is the appearance formed by the compression of the displaced meniscal part behind the anterior cruciate ligament in bucket handle tears. Results Following the retrospective evaluation of MRI scans, 44 out of 51 tears diagnosed as bucket handle tears by arthroscopy were accurately identified (sensitivity: 86.27%). The same conclusion was reached for MRI scans in 52 out of 58 tears where arthroscopy did not detect a bucket handle tear (specificity: 89.66%). The most prevalent MRI signs in patients with bucket handle tears identified by arthroscopy in the study were the intercondylar notch sign (84.31%), V sign (72.55%), double PCL sign (56.86%), double anterior horn sign (49.02%), absent bow sign (43.14%), flipped meniscus sign (19.61%), disproportionate posterior horn sign (9.80%), and double ACL sign (5.88%). The intercondylar notch sign, V sign, and double PCL sign exhibited the highest sensitivity, while flipped meniscus, disproportionate posterior horn, and double ACL sign demonstrated the highest specificity. Conclusion MRI demonstrates a high level of sensitivity and specificity in identifying meniscal bucket handle tears, particularly when considering the eight MRI signs investigated in this study.

The benefits of preserving the meniscus are well-established. Several arthroscopic meniscal repair techniques have been described, such as the inside-out, outside-in, and all-inside. All-inside self-retrieving suture devices can be used to repair vertical, horizontal, and radial tears. However, this technique becomes difficult with large tears, as the jaw of the device cannot reach the peripheral edge of the meniscal tear. We present an all-inside technique using circumferential compression stitches to address large peripheral meniscus tears.

The healing capacity of the human glenoid labrum varies by tear location. Current evidence suggests that the healing capacity of meniscal and cartilage injuries relates to cellular composition and vascularity. However, little is known about the histological characteristics of the glenoid labrum and how they may affect healing potential in specific anatomic regions.

Regenerative characteristics of the glenoid labrum differ based on the anatomic region.

Descriptive laboratory study.

Human glenoid labra from fresh unpreserved cadavers were transversely sectioned in different anatomic regions. Masson trichrome stain was used to determine dense and loose extracellular matrix regions and vessel densities. Hematoxylin and eosin, Ki-67+, and CD90+/CD105+ stains were performed to determine total, proliferative, and progenitor cell densities, respectively. Regression models demonstrated relationships between vascular area, progenitor cell quantity, and probability of successful operation.

Among all labral aspects, the superior glenoid labrum had the highest percentage (56.8% ± 6.9%) of dense extracellular matrix or avascular tissue (P < .1). The vascular region of the superior labrum had the fewest total cells (321 ± 135 cells/mm2; P < .01) and progenitor cells (20 ± 4 cells/mm2; P < .001). Vascular area was directly correlated with progenitor cell quantity (P = .006002). An increase in probability of successful operation was associated with a linear increase in vascular area (R2 = 0.765) and an exponential increase in progenitor cell quantity (R2 = 0.795). Subsequently, quadratic models of vascularity and progenitor cell quantity around the labral clock were used to assess relative healing potential. Quadratic models for percentage vascular area (P = 6.35e-07) and weighted progenitor cell density (P = 3.03e-05) around the labral clock showed that percentage vascular area and progenitor cell quantity increased as labral tissue neared the inferior aspect and diminished near the superior aspect.

Anatomic regions of the glenoid labrum differ in extracellular matrix composition, vascularity, and cell composition. The superior glenoid labrum is deficient in vascularity and progenitor cells, which may explain the high failure rates for repairs in this location.

Improved understanding of the composition of distinct glenoid labral positions may help to improve therapeutic strategies for labral pathology.

There is a clear link between increasing age and meniscus degeneration, leading to increased injury, osteoarthritis (OA) progression, and often total knee replacement. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are non-enzymatic crosslinks and adducts that accumulate in collagen with age, altering tissue mechanics and cell function, ultimately leading to increased injury and inflammation. AGEs, both fluorescent and non-fluorescent, play a central role in age-related degradation of tissues throughout the body; however, little is known about their role in meniscus degeneration. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in aged OA menisci, specifically evaluating zonal AGE accumulation, to gain a better understanding of changes that may lead to age-related meniscal degeneration.

Deidentified human menisci (N = 48, 52-84 years old) were obtained from subjects undergoing total knee replacement. Changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) were assessed by gross morphology, confocal analysis, and biochemical assays. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), collagen, and AGE accumulation were compared with patient age, zonal region, and patient sex.

There were minimal changes in DNA, GAG, and collagen concentration with age or zone. However, collagen fraying and AGEs increased with age, with more AGEs accumulating in the meniscal horns compared to the central body and in male menisci compared to females.

Overall, this work provides greater insights into regional changes that occur in human menisci with age and OA. These results suggest AGEs may play a role in the degeneration of the meniscus, with AGEs being a possible target to reduce age-related tears, degeneration, and OA progression.

Meniscus injury often leads to joint degeneration and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to outline the current understanding of biomechanical and biological repercussions following meniscus injury and how these changes impact meniscus repair and PTOA development. Moreover, we identify key gaps in knowledge that must be further investigated to improve meniscus healing and prevent PTOA.

Following meniscus injury, both biomechanical and biological alterations frequently occur in multiple tissues in the joint. Biomechanically, meniscus tears compromise the ability of the meniscus to transfer load in the joint, making the cartilage more vulnerable to increased strain. Biologically, the post-injury environment is often characterized by an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, catabolic enzymes, and immune cells. These multi-faceted changes have a significant interplay and result in an environment that opposes tissue repair and contributes to PTOA development. Additionally, degenerative changes associated with OA may cause a feedback cycle, negatively impacting the healing capacity of the meniscus. Strides have been made towards understanding post-injury biological and biomechanical changes in the joint, their interplay, and how they affect healing and PTOA development. However, in order to improve clinical treatments to promote meniscus healing and prevent PTOA development, there is an urgent need to understand the physiologic changes in the joint following injury. In particular, work is needed on the in vivo characterization of the temporal biomechanical and biological changes that occur in patients following meniscus injury and how these changes contribute to PTOA development.

A force-based tension protocol that uses a certain amount of tension at graft fixation could still give rise to variations in initial constraint levels of the knee joint in terms of side-to-side difference (SSD) in anterior translation.

To investigate the factors influencing the initial constraint level in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-reconstructed knees and compare outcomes according to the level of constraint in terms of anterior translation SSD.

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Included were 113 patients who underwent ipsilateral ACL reconstruction using an autologous hamstring graft and had minimum 2-year follow-up outcomes. All grafts were tensioned and fixed at 80 N using a tensioner at the time of graft fixation. The patients were classified into the following 2 groups according to the initial anterior translation SSD, measured using the KT-2000 arthrometer: a physiologic constraint group with restored anterior laxity ≤2 mm (group P; n = 66) and a high-constraint group with restored anterior laxity >2 mm (group H; n = 47). Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups, and preoperative and intraoperative variables were evaluated to identify factors affecting the initial constraint level.

Between group P and group H, generalized joint laxity (P = .005), posterior tibial slope (P = .022), and anterior translation measured in the contralateral knee (P < .001) were found to differ significantly. Measured anterior translation in the contralateral knee was the only significant predictor of high initial graft tension (P = .001). No significant differences were found between the groups regarding clinical outcomes and subsequent surgery.

Greater anterior translation measured in the contralateral knee was an independent predictor of a more constrained knee after ACL reconstruction. The short-term clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction were comparable, regardless of the initial constraint level in terms of anterior translation SSD.

The incidence of meniscal tears in children has been increasing. Early sport specialization, more intense training activity, and increasing participation in competitive sports may have affected to that increasing trend. Diagnosing acute menisci tear in children is based on suggestive clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings. There are special particulars in immature menisci, due to relatively good vascular supply. Furthermore, growing skeleton makes differences in injury pattern, and a clinician needs to recognize not only meniscus but also potential injuries in growth plates and ligaments, which are usual in connection with pediatric meniscus leasion. Clinical and imaging investigation prior to treatment is crucial, because non-operative care is considerable, to achieve spontaneous healing, especially in peripherial tears of younger children. Second, repair is preferred always as possible, in spite of resection due to high rate of long-term sequelae after partial meniscectomy. High standard preoperative imaging aid in preparing to the meniscus sparing arthroscopic intervention.

In this current concept article, the clinical considerations of imaging the injured pediatric knee with a suspected meniscus tear and the treatment options by the imaging findings are reviewed.

level III.

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is an evolving field that seeks to identify important anatomic structures or physiologic phenomena with helpful relevance to the execution of surgical procedures. Fluorescence labeling occurs generally via the administration of fluorescent reporters that may be molecularly targeted, enzyme-activated, or untargeted, vascular probes. Fluorescence guidance has substantially changed care strategies in numerous surgical fields; however, investigation and adoption in orthopaedic surgery have lagged. FGS shows the potential for improving patient care in orthopaedics via several applications including disease diagnosis, perfusion-based tissue healing capacity assessment, infection/tumor eradication, and anatomic structure identification. This review highlights current and future applications of fluorescence guidance in orthopaedics and identifies key challenges to translation and potential solutions.

Introduction Meniscal tears represent one of the most frequent knee injuries and are the most common cause of knee surgery. Historically, age has been considered an independent factor contraindicating meniscal repair due to the assumption that meniscal injuries in this population are frequently chronic tears, mostly with a degenerative tear pattern, and low healing potential. However, recent literature has questioned this paradigm with studies reporting successful outcomes with meniscal repair in older patients. Our study aimed to evaluate and compare the short-term clinical outcomes of meniscal repair versus partial meniscectomy in patients aged ≥40 years old. Methods A retrospective study was conducted that included patients over the age of 40 years, diagnosed with meniscal tears, that underwent arthroscopically assisted meniscal repair or partial meniscectomy between 01 January and 31 December 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1- partial meniscectomy (PM) and Group 2- meniscal repair (MR). The clinical evaluation was performed 24 months after the surgery, and the studied variables were: function (Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale), pain (Visual Analogue Scale), patient satisfaction, and failure rate.  Results Fifty-one patients met the inclusion criteria, and 7 were excluded due to loss of follow-up during telephone contact. Thus, the final sample consisted of 44 patients (mean age 52.18y), both groups with 22 patients. In both groups, we found an improvement in pain 2 years after the surgery, with a decrease in the VAS value between the pre and post-surgery. On average, the VAS score decreased from 7.9 to 4.5 in the group subjected to partial meniscectomy, and from 7.5 to 3.2 in the meniscal repair. This was statistically significant in both groups, with a p-value <0.01, but not between them (p-value = 0.363). Comparing the degree of satisfaction between both groups, we found no statistically significant difference between them (p=0.167). Regarding the functional outcome (Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale), the group that underwent the meniscal repair obtained a statistically superior score compared to the partial meniscectomy group (77.55 vs. 64.77; p-value 0.033). The failure rate was exactly equal in both groups (4.5%), therefore no statistically significant difference was found in this variable.  Conclusion Age, as an independent factor, should not be considered a contraindication for meniscus repair. In fact, if technically possible, meniscal repair should always be performed as it is associated with better functional outcomes, similar failure rates, and may be protective against the development and progression of arthritis.

Women carry out a greater risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. However, outcomes following ACL reconstruction remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes in women following ACL reconstruction and compare these outcomes with men.

Retrospective study of a prospective database of patients treated with ACL reconstruction between January 2017 and December 2018. Outcome measures included Tegner activity scale, Lysholm scale, EVA scale, and IKDC evaluation form. Clinical significance was measured with minimally clinical important difference, and patient acceptable symptom state.

A total of 33 women were matched with 99 men. The mean follow-up was 36 months. Women showed significant improvement from preoperative PROs to the latest follow-up, with no differences between groups. In patients under 25 years old, there was less significant IKDC subjective score in women compared to men. There were no significant differences in frequency of patients achieving MCID and PASS in women compared with men.

At 3-year following 4-strand semitendinosus-gracilis anterior ligament reconstruction, women showed significant improvements in PROs, with no differences compared to men.

Women carry out a greater risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. However, outcomes following ACL reconstruction remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes in women following ACL reconstruction and compare these outcomes with men.

Retrospective study of a prospective database of patients treated with ACL reconstruction between January 2017 and December 2018. Outcome measures included Tegner activity scale, Lysholm scale, EVA scale, and IKDC evaluation form. Clinical significance was measured with minimally clinical important difference, and patient acceptable symptom state.

A total of 33 women were matched with 99 men. The mean follow-up was 36 months. Women showed significant improvement from preoperative PROs to the latest follow-up, with no differences between groups. In patients under 25 years old, there was less significant IKDC subjective score in women compared to men. There were no significant differences in frequency of patients achieving MCID and PASS in women compared with men.

At 3-year following 4-strand semitendinosus-gracilis anterior ligament reconstruction, women showed significant improvements in PROs, with no differences compared to men.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) plasty and the adaptive changes in the patellofemoral joint after surgery. From September 2010 to March 2012, 25 patients with DLM injuries who underwent arthroscopic meniscus plasty were enrolled in the prospective study. All patients underwent clinical evaluation before the operation and at the last follow-up, and imaging evaluation was performed by upright magnetic resonance imaging before and 1 month after the operation as well as at the last follow-up. Clinical evaluation included Lysholm score, Kujala score, McMurray's sign, patellar mobility, patella grind test, and quadriceps atrophy. Imaging evaluation included bisect offset index, patella tilt angle (PTA), and cartilage damage. Lysholm score, Kujala score, McMurray's sign, and quadriceps atrophy at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with the preoperative levels (P < .05). At the last follow-up, there were no statistical differences in patella mobility and patella grind test compared with the preoperative levels. In addition, bisect offset index and PTA showed a dynamic trend of rising and then falling over time (P < .05). At 1 month after the operation, bisect offset index and PTA were significantly increased compared with the preoperative levels or the values at the last follow-up (P < .05), while there were no differences between the preoperation and the last follow-up. Cartilage damage became worse with time (P < 0.05), and the 2 were positively correlated (Spearman = 0.368). At the last follow-up, the degree of cartilage damage was significantly increased compared with the preoperative level (P < .017), while there was no significant difference between the 1-month postoperative grade and the preoperational grade or the last follow-up grade. The effect of arthroscopic DLM plasty on the patellofemoral joint was dynamic, with the position of the patella deviating in the early stages and recovering in the mid-term, especially when the knee was in the biomechanical standing position. In addition, the patellofemoral joint cartilage might undergo accelerated degeneration after the operation, while the mid-term effect of the operation was positive, and the patellofemoral joint function was acceptable.

BACKGROUND Posterior meniscal root avulsions can cause meniscal extrusion, joint space narrowing, and progressive knee arthritis. Iatrogenic posterior meniscal root avulsions after malpositioning of the transtibial tunnels during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction can account for poor long-term outcomes seen in some patients following ACL reconstruction. Therefore, correct transtibial tunnel placement during ACL reconstruction is essential to avoid iatrogenic meniscal damage. CASE REPORT A 32-year-old man presented with 1 year of right knee pain and instability following a non-contact twisting injury sustained while playing soccer. An ACL tear with no meniscal involvement was diagnosed at an outside institution. A double-bundle reconstruction was performed at that time. Three months after surgery, a medial partial meniscectomy was performed after a medial meniscal tear and failure to reduce initial symptoms during the index procedure. Advanced imaging at our institution 6 months later demonstrated an iatrogenic lateral posterior meniscal root avulsions after malpositioning of the transtibial tunnels. Given the ACL graft integrity upon arthroscopic evaluation, the root tear was repaired using a 2-tunnel transtibial pull-out technique. Advanced imaging 1 year after surgery showed a well-maintained meniscal repair with no extrusion. CONCLUSIONS Accurate transtibial tunnel placement during ACL reconstructive surgery is vital to avoid meniscal root detachment and the associated complications resulting in poor patient outcomes from this iatrogenic injury. Clinicians treating patients with a history of cruciate ligament reconstruction presenting with postoperative pain and instability should consider this pathology in their differential diagnosis.