Updates and Advances in the Management of Lateral Meniscal Radial Tears: A Critical Analysis Review.

JBJS Rev · Nov 2020 · Review

Lin JS, Akers A, Miller TL

Department of Orthopaedics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University

Sports Medicine

SUMMARY — THE REDUCTIONThis review highlights that lateral meniscal radial tears, especially body tears, should be strongly considered for repair given reasonable healing potential, though optimal suturing technique remains uncertain.
Abstract, as published

Because of their increased mobility, lack of resistance to hoop stresses, and decreased blood supply, radial tears of the lateral meniscus are more troublesome to heal than vertical longitudinal tears. Given the success of meniscal root repairs, radial tears of the lateral meniscal body should be given strong consideration for repair because of a more reproducible ability to heal such lesions in young, active patients. Technique options that should be considered for the less common anterior radial tears of the lateral meniscus include outside-in repair, self-capturing suture-passing devices, and orthobiologic treatments to stimulate healing. Although a variety of suture techniques, including the double horizontal mattress and horizontal butterfly patterns, have demonstrated improvements in patient outcomes, evidence is still limited with regard to the ideal suture pattern for radial tears.

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