Abstract
Aim: To determine the ultimate strength at failure of three different methods of repairing meniscal tears Method: Artiþcial tears were created in 21 fresh bovine menisci. These were then divided into three groups. Group one were repaired using a single 2–0 Ticron vertical suture. Group 2 were repaired using a single Clear-þx meniscal screw. Group 3 were repaired using a single Mitek fastener from the Mitek meniscal repair system. The repaired constructs were then loaded onto a tensiometer and distracted at a rate of 16mm/min. The extension during loading, maximum tensile strength and mode of failure were all recorded.
Results: The single vertical suture failed by breaking at the knot at a mean load of 64.38N and mean extension of 19.91mm. The Clearþx screw failed by pulling out of the peripheral portion of the meniscus. The mean load at failure of the Clearþx screw was 38.06N and mean extension was 17.10mm. The Mitek fastener failed by pulling out of the peripheral meniscus at a mean load of 15.50N and mean extension of 13.87mm.
Conclusion: The single vertical suture failed at higher loads than both the Mitek fastener and the Clearþx screw in the bovine meniscus.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
