Meniscal Body and Root Tears: Where Do We Stand in 2022?

Description

The presentation begins with Daniel Curtis providing an update on meniscus tears, outlining the importance of the meniscus in load distribution, joint stability, and nutrition, along with its biomechanics. He highlights the anatomy of the meniscus, detailing its vascular zones and structural features that enable it to absorb shocks efficiently.



Curtis reviews various types of meniscus tears, including vertical, horizontal, radial, and root tears, explaining their implications and repair strategies. He emphasizes that vertical tears are generally acute, making them ideal for surgical repair, while discussing the controversial nature of ramp lesions associated with ACL injuries.



Highlighting the significance of treating root tears, he notes that they can lead to serious implications for knee health, including rapid arthritis progression if untreated. He presents data comparing treatment outcomes, revealing that root repair yields better results than meniscectomy. Curtis outlines repair techniques—including transtibial pull-out methods—and stresses the importance of assessing cartilage status before surgical intervention due to complications in patients with pre-existing degenerative conditions.



Curtis also discusses augmentative techniques like marrow venting and PRP, which are shown to enhance repair outcomes. He concludes with key takeaways about the critical nature of the meniscus, advocating for its preservation and proper management of tears, particularly root tears, to prevent long-term joint issues.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-230465

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