APEX Knee Navigating Pearls and Pitfalls-Horizontal Cleavage Tears: When Do I Resect, When Do I Repair?

Horizontal Cleavage Tears: When Do I Resect, When Do I Repair?

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Scott Fawcett discusses managing horizontal cleavage meniscus tears, advocating meniscus repair over meniscectomy to preserve knee function and delay osteoarthritis. He reviews meniscal anatomy, tear types, and the negative impact of meniscectomy, emphasizing patient selection, cartilage health, smoking cessation, and biologic enhancements like marrow venting. Surgical techniques focus on circumferential sutures (e.g., hay bale stitch) to restore meniscal integrity. Repair outcomes are favorable, even in older patients, provided cartilage is intact. Meniscectomy is reserved for cases with severe symptoms or poor candidates for rehabilitation. Repair helps maintain joint biomechanics, reduces arthritis progression, and improves long-term knee health.

Asset Caption

Scott C. Faucett, M.D., M.S.

Keywords

horizontal cleavage meniscus tears

meniscus repair

meniscectomy

knee osteoarthritis

surgical techniques