Arthroscopic Meniscus Trephination: A Novel Technique for the Treatment of Symptomatic Meniscal Degeneration: Surgical Technique and Literature Review

INTRODUCTION: Meniscal pathology constitutes a major reason for a vast number of patients suffering from knee pain. It is, in general, attributed either to meniscal tearing or degeneration. Debridement and partial meniscectomy, or repair, when possible, is the mainstay surgical approach for refractory knee pain from meniscal degeneration or tears. Sometimes, the patient has clinical symptoms of meniscal pathology, but despite those highly suggestive clinical symptoms, the patient turns out, during knee arthroscopy, to have meniscal degeneration and hardening of the meniscus without frank tearing of the meniscus. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: To initiate meniscal trephination, we first conduct a diagnostic knee arthroscopy to examine the suprapatellar space, the gutters, and the anterior knee space for any pathologies. Following this, both menisci are inspected for any signs of tearing or hardening. For the purposes of our study, the medial meniscus is considered pathological if it shows signs of degeneration or hardening, which then justifies our intervention. An 18-gauge spinal needle, manually bent for the procedure, is inserted through the portal to perform trephination on the hardened menisci. Care is taken to adequately space the needle insertion points to prevent accidental tearing. Our trephination technique aims to soften the meniscus, facilitating its ability to compact and compress when patients ambulate. Additionally, the needle insertion points help attract blood flow to the meniscus, thereby enriching it with growth factors and stem cells that may aid in improving the degenerative condition. CONCLUSION: Meniscal trephination is benign and effective for meniscal degenerative pathologies. The procedure allows for a healthier meniscus, free from degeneration, that would otherwise disable patients. The intervention does not have long-term adverse effects. To this end, more comparative trials are required to confirm the effectiveness of the technique and to ensure minimal to no associated side effects.