Meniscal posterior root tear

Abstract

Meniscal posterior root tears, formerly considered irreparable and merely part of the arthritic cascade, indeed have healing potential. In the presence of mild to moderate degenerative changes of the knee, repair of reasonable quality tissue may afford pain relief and perhaps chondral protection. Imaging usually portrays meniscal extrusion, by virtue of the attenuation of posterior horn fixation. If a remaining tissue remnant is present, a meniscal fixator may effect repair. More commonly, direct suture repair to bone is necessary. Arthroscopic techniques have evolved which present only modest morbidity to the patient.