Arthroscopic repair of the meniscal injury using meniscal repair device

BACKGROUND: Total meniscus resection after meniscus tear usually leads to faster degeneration and osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Preservation and repair of the injured menisci are therefore of great clinical importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of arthroscopic repair of meniscal injuries using the Fast-Fix device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 96 patients (58 males, 38 females) with mean age of 24.3 years (range 12–46 years)) with a meniscus injury were treated with the Fast-Fix device under arthroscopy between July 2007 and June 2009. The right and left knees were involved in 46 and 50 patients respectively. In 12, 46 and 38 patients, the injury was located in the anterior horn, body and posterior horn respectively. In 38, 45 and 13 patients, it was in the red, red-white, and white regions, respectively. All-inside and outside-in techniques were used for these meniscal injuries. Criteria for successful surgery were no locking pain or swelling and a negative McMurray test. RESULTS: The mean followup period was 3.7 years (range 2–5 years). The surgical success rate was 91.7% (n = 88). The mean Lysholm score increased from 47.8 ± 10.4 preoperatively to 85.7 ± 12.8 postoperatively. The mean Tegner activity score was 7.4 ± 1.6 (range 5–9) preinjury, 2.1 ± 0.9 (range 0–4) preoperatively and 7.2 ± 2.2 (range 4–10) postoperatively (P < 0.001). A total of 92 patients (95.8%) returned to full-time work. The International Knee Documentation Committee score increased from 32.7 ± 10.7 (range 10.3–51.7) preoperatively to 82.5 ± 5.1 (range 65.1–91.2) postoperatively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Fast-Fix system is an efficient, safe and effective suture technique for meniscal repair.