A novel technique in repair of radial meniscus tear: Biomechanical comparison of horizontal cross loop and horizontal loop techniques with cyclic loading

INTRODUCTION: Radial meniscus tears are seen in young patients, especially with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. Repair of complet radial meniscus tear is necessary for the meniscus functions. The most important factor for success of the meniscus repair is primary stability, but it is still unknown which technique is ideal repair technique. AIM: We developed a new suture technique named Cross Horizontal Loop(CHL). In this novel technique the contact between meniscal tissue and suture is more than Horizontal Loop(HL) that routinely used today. So, we think that this technique will provide better fixation than HL. We aimed to compare 2 repair techniques (CHL vs. HL) using human lateral menisci biomechanically with cyclic loading and load to failure tests MATERIALS-METHODS: We used 20 intact lateral meniscus obtained from patients that operated (total knee replacement) for varus gonarthrosis in our clinic. All menisci were cut radially. In the first group (n:10) menisci were repaired with standart horizontal loop technique, and in the second group (n:10) cross horizontal loop technique were used for repair. All specimens were tested with load to failure test after cyclic loading test (500 cyclus X 5-30 N). RESULTS: Both groups have similar failure load (71,4±17,52 N vs. 77,9±28,49 N; p:0,559) and stiffness (24,46±19,19 N vs. 24,48±15,87 N; p:0,818). CHL group has less peak displacement (6,26±1,24 mm vs. 8,4±1,92 mm; p:0,010). CONCLUSIONS: This novel repair technique decreases the amount of displacement according to standard technique while as strong as standart technique routinely used. In this way; we believe that it will increase the rate of healing in clinical use.