PURPOSE

This study assessed the clinical outcomes of the FasT-Fix dependent modified Mason-Allen suture (F-MMA) and two simple stitches (TSS) on mid-term postoperative outcomes following medial meniscus (MM) posterior root repair.

METHODS

Forty-three patients who underwent transtibial pullout repair for MM posterior root tear (PRT) between November 2016 and September 2018 were initially enrolled. Patients with a femorotibial angle ≤ 180°, Kellgren-Lawrence grade of 0-2, and modified Outerbridge grade I or II cartilage lesions were included. The Lysholm, Tegner activity, International Knee Documentation Committee score, pain visual analogue scale and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome scores were assessed as clinical outcomes. Conversion surgery to knee arthroplasty was considered as the endpoint. Surgeries other than second-look arthroscopy and plate or screw removal were also recorded.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 5.9 years. All evaluated 5-year postoperative clinical outcomes were significantly improved compared to the preoperative outcomes ( < 0.001). Both the F-MMA and TSS significantly improved all clinical scores at 5 years postoperatively in patients with MMPRT, whereas the F-MMA and TSS groups showed no significant differences in the pre- and postoperative clinical scores. None of the patients required ipsilateral knee arthroplasty during the follow-up, and the survival rate after pullout repair was 100%. However, the progression of osteoarthritis could not be completely suppressed, although there were no Kellgren-Lawrence grade 4 cases. The rate of subsequent knee-related surgical treatment was 11.6% in pullout-repaired knees, including arthroscopic debridement for arthrofibrosis with a limited range of motion, an additional all-inside suture repair and partial meniscectomy.

CONCLUSION

Both F-MMA and TSS pullout repairs yielded satisfactory clinical outcomes in patients with MMPRT with a mean follow-up of 5.9 years, and no conversion to knee arthroplasty was required. Further follow-up is warranted to assess long-term survival rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.