Meniscal Root Repair Using A Two-Tunnel Technique: Smith&nephew
Meniscal Root Repair Using A Two-Tunnel Technique: Smith&nephew
Meniscal Root Repair Using A Two-Tunnel Technique: Smith&nephew
KNEE
HIP
SHOULDER
EXTREMITIES
Two-Tunnel Meniscal Root Repair Technique
The following technique guide was prepared under the guidance of Robert F. LaPrade, MD. Created under close collaboration
with the surgeon, it contains a summary of medical techniques and opinions based upon his training and expertise in the field,
along with his knowledge of Smith & Nephew’s products. Smith & Nephew does not provide medical advice and recommends that
surgeons exercise their own professional judgement when determining a patient’s course of treatment. This guide is presented for
educational purposes only. Prior to performing this technique, or utilizing any product referenced herein, please conduct a
thorough review of each product’s indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and instructions as detailed in the
Instructions for Use provided with the individual components.
As Described By
Robert F. LaPrade, MD, PhD
Overview
The Steadman Clinic, Vail, CO
The meniscal roots are very important to overall joint health; however
THE STEADMAN CLINIC
Complex Knee & Sports meniscal root tears are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed and,
Medicine Surgeon in my experience, represent from 10% to 21% of overall tears seen
STEADMAN-PHILIPPON on MRI scans. It has been reported that a posterior horn medial
RESEARCH INSTITUTE meniscus root tear is equivalent to a subtotal medial meniscectomy,1, 2
Chief Medical Officer
Co-Director of the Sports
while a lateral meniscus root tear where the meniscofemoral ligament
Medicine Fellowship Program is also torn is likewise contributing to a meniscal deficient state.3
Director of the International
Research Scholar Program
In patients with a meniscal root tear who have fairly normal articular
cartilage of the ipsilateral compartment, Grade II chondromalacia
or less, an attempt should be made for a meniscal root repair.4
In particular, meniscal root repairs can be especially beneficial to
patients with fairly normal articular cartilage and who have evidence
of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee (SONK) (medial femoral
condyle).5
Biomechanical studies have validated that a meniscal root tear, or a
radial root tear within 1cm of the meniscal root attachment, can be
reattached to the tibia and can significantly restore joint contact area
and joint forces.2, 4 In addition, it has been reported that a meniscal
root repair that is performed in a non-anatomic position, which usually
means a medial meniscus root tear that is subluxed posteromedially,
is equivalent to a subtotal meniscectomy.6, 7 Therefore, all attempts
should be made to try to release any adhesions causing meniscal root
tears to be retracted in order to allow them to be located in the most
anatomic position possible.8
There is no distinct upper age for a meniscal root repair. This should
depend upon the patient’s activity level, general overall health,
associated comorbidities, joint alignment, and the degree of ipsilateral
compartment chondromalacia. In patients who are otherwise active
and who sustain a meniscal root tear, consideration should be made
to performing a repair.
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Introduction
A meniscus root tear is defined as either an avulsion of the meniscal root from its
attachment point or a radial root tear within 1cm of the root attachment. There are
five types of meniscal root tears, with the most common being a Type 2 radial
root tear.9
Most patients present with complaints of posterior knee pain, or of feeling
a pop, when they are at maximal knee flexion. In traumatic cases, patients
often have multi-ligament injuries or an ACL tear.10, 11 An MRI can be especially
useful to determine the presence of a meniscus root tear because it can show
detachment of the root on the axial cuts, extrusion on the coronal cuts, and
a ‘ghost sign’ present on the sagittal images, which would indicate there is a
lack of meniscal tissue due to the root tear and/or medial or lateral meniscal
extrusion.4, 12 Concurrent with an MRI, the patient should have a standing
AP view, a Rosenberg view to assess for joint line narrowing, and a long-leg
alignment x-ray to assess for malalignment. Concurrent injuries often include a
chondral lesion, which is most commonly found with a posterior horn root tear
of the medial meniscus, or with an ACL tear, which most commonly affects the
posterior horn lateral meniscus root attachment.11
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Patients who have a tight medial compartment, limiting the placement
of a suture passer from the anterior portals, may require the use of a
posteromedial portal in order to pass a suture through the meniscal
substance by accessing the root tear through the posteromedial aspect of
the knee. This has been found to be the most common location for passing
the root repair sutures when one is initially performing meniscal root repairs.
Figure 3
Figure 4
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Preparation of Repair Bed on Tibia
Once the presence and reparability of the meniscal root tear is confirmed, and
other significant pathology in the joint has been identified and treated as indicated,
the next step is to prepare the bony bed for the meniscal root attachment on
the posteromedial aspect of the tibia (Figure 5). A 4.5mm DYONICS™ PLATINUM™
Incisor Blade and 4.5mm DYONICS Curved Incisor Plus Elite Blade can be used to
remove any scar tissue that may limit visualization.
A curette in the Meniscal Root Repair System can be used to decorticate the bony
area in the posterolateral aspect of the medial tibial plateau where the meniscal
root attachment is planned to be re-approximated (Figure 6). It is important to
ensure that this area of decorticated bone extends to the posterior aspect of the
tibia in order to maximize bony healing of the meniscal root repair.
Figure 5 Figure 6
Figure 8
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The Offset Guide Device is then used to pass the second sheath and drill. The
Offset Guide has offsets of between 5-7mm to allow it to be positioned in a manner
that allows for the ideal placement of the second tunnel. Once the tunnel is drilled
and it is in the desired location, the drill can be removed and the sheath position
can be assessed (Figure 9). Once both sheaths are placed, attention can be
turned to passing sutures through the meniscus tear (Figure 10).
Figure 9 Figure 10
Figure 12
*CLEAR-TRAC™
5.5x72mm
Threaded Cannula
72200907
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Passing the Second Suture
In a similar fashion to passing the first suture, the FIRSTPASS™ ST Suture
Passer passing device is utilized to pass the suture through the substance of
the posterior horn of the meniscus, in an anterior position compared to the
previous suture. This suture is then pulled out anteriorly. After verification that
there are no soft tissue bridges through the arthroscopic portal, a monofilament
loop is passed up the second sheath (Figure 13). The loop is then pulled out
the passing cannula and the metal sheath in the tibia is removed with pliers.
The second suture can then be shuttled down the tibia. One should probe the
sutures and ensure that they are circumferentially around the desired location
of the meniscus root tear. The meniscus can then be probed and the knee can
be flexed and extended to verify that the meniscus tissue has been sufficiently
released and not tethered to posterior scar tissue, such that an early range of
motion protocol can be performed.
Figure 13
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Postoperative Rehabilitation†
Meniscal root tears have been found biomechanically to have significant stress
on them when the knee is maximally flexed, especially past 90° (Figure 14).
Therefore, meniscal root sutures should be tied with the knee flexed to 90° to
ensure that motion can be performed to at least 90° initially. The rehabilitation
protocol requires that the patient is non-weight bearing for six weeks, with knee
flexion limited from 0° to 90° for the first two weeks. After two weeks, flexion
is increased as tolerated. After the six-week postoperative time frame, patients
may slowly initiate a partial protective weight bearing program and wean off of
crutches when they can ambulate without a limp.
Figure 14
In patients with ipsilateral compartment malalignment, who did not also have
a concurrent osteotomy, consideration may be given to an unloader brace for
four months postoperatively. Leg presses past 70° during the first four months
postoperatively should be avoided, as should cross-legged sitting, deep squats
and squatting and lifting, due to the significant stress that is placed on the
posterior horn of the meniscus repair with these maneuvers. In general, it takes
five to seven months for the meniscus root repair to be sufficiently healed and
for patients to resume impact activities (if these are indicated based on other
associated pathology and the patient’s desired activity level).
† The views and opinions expressed for postoperative care are solely those of
the surgeon(s) and do not reflect the views of Smith & Nephew. In no event
shall Smith & Nephew be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without
limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of
business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability
to use the expressed views.
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References
1. Allaire R, Muriuki M, Gilbertson L, et al. Biomechanical consequences of a tear of the posterior root of the
medial meniscus. Similar to total meniscectomy. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008; 90: 1922-31.
2. Padalecki JR, Jansson KS, Smith SD, et al. Biomechanical consequences of a complete radial tear adjacent
to the medial meniscus posterior root attachment site: in situ pull-out repair restores derangement of joint
mechanics. Am J Sports Med 2014; 42: 699-707.
3. L aPrade CM, Jansson KS, Dornan G, et al. Altered tibiofemoral contact mechanics due to lateral meniscus
posterior horn root avulsions and radial tears can be restored with in situ pull-out suture repairs. J Bone Joint
Surg Am 2014; 96: 471-9.
4. Bhatia S, LaPrade CM, Ellman MB, et al. Meniscal root tears: significance, diagnosis, and treatment. The
American journal of sports medicine 2014; 42: 3016-30.
5. Robertson DD, Armfield DR, Towers JD, et al. Meniscal root injury and spontaneous osteonecrosis of the
knee: an observation. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2009; 91: 190-5.
6. LaPrade CM, Foad A, Smith SD, et al. Biomechanical consequences of a nonanatomic posterior medial
meniscal root repair. Am J Sports Med 2015; 43: 912-20.
7. Starke C, Kopf S, Grobel KH, et al. The effect of a nonanatomic repair of the meniscal horn attachment on
meniscal tension: a biomechanical study. Arthroscopy 2010; 26: 358-65.
8. Johannsen AM, Civitarese DM, Padalecki JR, et al. Qualitative and quantitative anatomic analysis of the
posterior root attachments of the medial and lateral menisci. Am J Sports Med 2012; 40: 2342-7.
9. L aPrade CM, James EW, Cram TR, et al. Meniscal root tears: a classification system based on tear
morphology. Am J Sports Med 2015; 43: 363-9.
10. Feucht MJ, Bigdon S, Mehl J, et al. Risk factors for posterior lateral meniscus root tears in anterior cruciate
ligament injuries. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2015; 23: 140-5.
11. M
atheny LM, Ockuly AC, Steadman JR, et al. Posterior meniscus root tears: associated pathologies to assist
as diagnostic tools. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc: official journal of the ESSKA 2015; 23: 3127-31.
12. C
hoi SH, Bae S, Ji SK, et al. The MRI findings of meniscal root tear of the medial meniscus: emphasis on
coronal, sagittal and axial images. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2012; 20: 2098-103.
13. C
hung KS, Ha JK, Yeom CH, et al. Comparison of Clinical and Radiologic Results Between Partial
Meniscectomy and Refixation of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tears: A Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.
Arthroscopy 2015; 31: 1941-50.
14. C
hung KS, Ha JK, Ra HJ, et al. A meta-analysis of clinical and radiographic outcomes of posterior horn
medial meniscus root repairs. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2016; 24: 1455-68.
15. F eucht MJ, Kuhle J, Bode G, et al. Arthroscopic transtibial pullout repair for posterior medial meniscus root
tears: a systematic review of clinical, radiographic, and second-look arthroscopic results. Arthroscopy 2015;
31: 1808-16.
16. Han SB, Shetty GM, Lee DH, et al. Unfavorable results of partial meniscectomy for complete posterior medial
meniscus root tear with early osteoarthritis: a 5- to 8-year follow-up study. Arthroscopy 2010; 26: 1326-32.
17. Ellman MB, LaPrade CM, Smith SD, et al. Structural Properties of the Meniscal Roots. Am J Sports Med 2014;
42: 1881-7.
18. Kopf S, Colvin AC, Muriuki M, et al. Meniscal root suturing techniques: implications for root fixation. Am J
Sports Med 2011; 39: 2141-6.
19. L aPrade RF, LaPrade CM, James EW. Recent advances in posterior meniscal root repair techniques. J Am
Acad Orthop Surg. 2015 Feb;23(2):71-6.
20. L aPrade CM, LaPrade MD, Turnbull TL, et al. Biomechanical evaluation of the transtibial pull-out technique
for posterior medial meniscal root repairs using 1 and 2 transtibial bone tunnels. Am J Sports Med. 2015
Apr;43(4):899-904.
21. LaPrade CM, Smith SD, Rasmussen MT, et al. Consequences of tibial tunnel reaming on the meniscal roots
during cruciate ligament reconstruction in a cadaveric model, Part 2: The posterior cruciate ligament. Am J
Sports Med 2015; 43: 207-12.
The FIRSTPASS ST Suture Passer is intended for medical purposes to manipulate tissue
in orthopedic surgery.
Smith & Nephew DYONICS Disposable Endoscopic Blades are indicated for resection
of soft and osseous tissues in both large and small articular cavities.