Meniscal root suturing techniques: implications for root fixation. 2011

Sebastian Kopf, and Alexis Chiang Colvin, and Muturi Muriuki, and Xudong Zhang, and Christopher Dechant Harner
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

BACKGROUND Meniscal root tears have attracted increasing interest in recent years. Fixation is an important factor for rehabilitation and avoidance of early failure. Suture fixations have been the most commonly used techniques. The current study aimed to evaluate the maximum failure load of the native meniscal roots (anteromedial, posteromedial, anterolateral, and posterolateral) and of 3 commonly used meniscal root fixation techniques (2 simple stitches, modified Kessler stitch, and loop stitch). OBJECTIVE (1) There will be no difference in maximum failure load between the native meniscal roots. (2) The loop stitch will sustain the greatest maximum load to failure, followed by the modified Kessler stitch and the 2 simple stitches. (3) The maximum failure load of the native meniscal roots will not be restored by the tested fixation methods. METHODS Controlled laboratory study. METHODS The maximum failure load of the 4 human native meniscal roots was evaluated using 64 human meniscal roots. Additionally, the maximum failure load of the 3 fixation techniques was evaluated on 24 meniscal roots: (1) 2 simple stitches, (2) modified Kessler stitch, and (3) loop stitch using a suture shuttle. RESULTS The average maximum failure load of the native meniscal roots was 594 ± 241 N (anterolateral: 692 ± 304 N; posterolateral: 648 ± 140 N; anteromedial: 407 ± 180 N; posteromedial: 678 ± 200 N). The anteromedial root was significantly weaker than the posterolateral and posteromedial roots (P = .04 and P = .01, respectively). Regarding fixation techniques, the maximum failure load of the 2 simple stitches was 64.1 ± 22.5 N, the modified Kessler stitch was 142.6 ± 33.3 N, and the loop was 100.9 ± 41.6 N. None of the fixation techniques recreated the strength of the native roots. CONCLUSIONS The native anterolateral root was the strongest meniscal root, and the anteromedial root was the weakest meniscal root. Regarding primary fixation strength, the modified Kessler stitch was the strongest technique compared with the loop and the 2 simple stitches. CONCLUSIONS None of our tested fixation methods restored the strength of native meniscal roots. Thus, rehabilitation after meniscal root fixation should proceed cautiously.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008592 Menisci, Tibial The interarticular fibrocartilages of the superior surface of the tibia. Lateral Menisci,Medial Menisci,Menisci, Lateral,Menisci, Medial,Semilunar Cartilages,Tibial Menisci,Meniscus, Medial,Meniscus, Tibial,Tibial Meniscus,Cartilage, Semilunar,Cartilages, Semilunar,Lateral Meniscus,Medial Meniscus,Meniscus, Lateral,Semilunar Cartilage
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002102 Cadaver A dead body, usually a human body. Corpse,Cadavers,Corpses
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000070600 Tibial Meniscus Injuries Injuries to the TIBIAL MENISCUS of the leg. Bucket Handle Tears,Flap Tears,Tibial Meniscus Tears,Torn Tibial Meniscus,Bucket Handle Tear,Flap Tear,Injuries, Tibial Meniscus,Injury, Tibial Meniscus,Meniscus Injuries, Tibial,Meniscus Injury, Tibial,Meniscus Tear, Tibial,Meniscus Tears, Tibial,Meniscus, Torn Tibial,Tear, Tibial Meniscus,Tears, Flap,Tears, Tibial Meniscus,Tibial Meniscus Injury,Tibial Meniscus Tear,Tibial Meniscus, Torn
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001696 Biomechanical Phenomena The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces. Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic

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