Meniscus Repair and Replacement: New Techniques, Indications and Biologic Augmentations (AANA22)-Complex Meniscal Tears: Keys to Diagnosis & Treatment

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Video Summary

The presentation addresses advances in meniscus tear repair, highlighting the shift toward repairing complex tears—radial, horizontal, and complex types—beyond traditional vertical tears. Traditional criteria limited repairs to young patients with vascular zone tears, but this excludes most meniscus injuries seen clinically. Expanding repairs aims to preserve meniscal tissue, improve long-term outcomes, reduce osteoarthritis risk, and prolong athletic careers. However, it entails higher revision rates, longer rehab, and potential complications. Radial tear repairs, previously deemed irreparable, now use evolved techniques like ripstop and rebar suturing to distribute stress and enhance healing, showing promising clinical and biomechanical results but with limited long-term data. Horizontal cleavage tears often require non-surgical management or partial resection, while complex tears need careful planning and root repair first. Key recommendations include careful MRI evaluation, patient engagement in decisions, use of advanced tools and biological augmentation, weighed rehabilitation protocols, and acknowledging some repair failures. More research is needed on long-term outcomes and optimal techniques.

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Catherine M. Robertson, M.D.

Keywords

meniscus tear repair

complex meniscus tears

radial tear repair techniques

horizontal cleavage tears

meniscal preservation

meniscus repair outcomes