KS33: ARTHROSCOPIC “ALL INSIDE” MENISCAL REPAIR WITH FAST-FIX SUURE SYSTEM

Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate the outcomes from arthroscopic “all inside” meniscal repairs using the FasT-Fix suture system, performed at the Gold Coast and Allamanda Private Hospitals during 2006–2007

40 consecutive meniscal repairs in 36 patients were performed both in isolation and in conjunction with ACL reconstruction. All repairs were performed by the senior author (PG), using an arthroscopic all inside technique with the Fastfix suture anchor system. Patients were assessed at a minimum 6 months follow up, including assessment with the IKDC subjective form.

36 patients underwent a total of 40 meniscal repairs. The average age of the patients was 23.4 years (range 14–42). There were 65% male (26 patients) and 35% female (14 pts). 67.5% (27 menisci) were medial and 32.5% (13 menisci) were lateral repairs. 4 patients underwent bilateral repairs (1 involving 2 different operative dates). 55% (22/40 pts) were right knees and 45% (18/40 pts) were left knees. The average number of FasT-Fix meniscal anchors used was 3.8 (range 1–10). 62.5% (25 pts) underwent concurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. 37.5% (15 pts) were isolated meniscal injuries. 55% (22 pts) had associated chondral surface abnormalities. No Significant complications occurred, including no nerve injuries, infections, or post-operative stiffness. 3 patients underwent subsequent re-operation to resect failed repairs, leaving 37 menisci successfully repaired (92.5%). 5 patients 12.5% described some persistent pain post operation. The average IKDC subjective score for those patients with intact repairs was 91 (62–100).

Meniscal repair using an arthroscopic all inside technique provides a safe, reliable and reproducible method of repairing torn menisci, without the need for a further ‘safety incision’ to retrieve and tie sutures. The outcomes from this study indicate that patients demonstrate similar functional results, and low failure rates, similar to other published meniscal repair methods, including the gold standard of inside-out repair.