Arthroscopic meniscal repair. Surgical technique.

Instruments have been devised for repair of the semilunar cartilage without any incision by operative arthroscopy. The instruments include a meniscus repair needle and specially designed small-diameter cannulae of various degrees of curvature. A bolster system for external suture fixation is also employed. Indications for surgery, basic principles of the surgical technique, and postoperative immobilization and rehabilitation regimens are the same as those for open repair. The early results with this technique are excellent and most encouraging. By introducing a practical method for arthroscopically repairing meniscal tears, fewer menisci will be excised, even if only partially. The procedure is no more time-consuming than open repair techniques.