Repair of a radial tear in the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus

- Radial tear in the PHLM could be classified into 3 types.
- Clinical results after repair of a radial tear in the PHLM were satisfactory.
- Repair of the tear resulted in complete or partial healing in 86.6% of cases.

BackgroundThere have been no studies evaluating the clinical results after repair of a radial tear in the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (PHLM) using the FasT-Fix system. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical outcomes after repair of a radial tear in the PHLM using the FasT-Fix system in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.MethodsBetween September 2008 and August 2011, 15 radial tears in the PHLM identified during 132 consecutive ACL reconstructions were repaired using the FasT-Fix meniscal repair system. We classified the radial tears into three types according to the tear patterns: simple radial tear, complex radial tear, and radial tear involving the popliteal hiatus. Postoperative evaluation was performed using the Lysholm knee score and Tegner activity level. Second-look arthroscopy was performed in all cases.ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 24 months. None of the patients had a history of recurrent effusion, joint line tenderness or a positive McMurray test. The meniscal repair was considered to have a 100% clinical success rate. At the final follow-up, the Lysholm knee score and Tegner activity level were significantly improved compared to the preoperative values. On the second-look arthroscopy, repair of radial tears in the PHLM in conjunction with ACL reconstruction using the FasT-Fix device resulted in complete or partial healing in 86.6% of cases.ConclusionClinical results after meniscal repair of a radial tear in the PHLM by using the FasT-Fix system were satisfactory.Level of evidenceCase series, Level IV.