Open meniscus repair in full and partial horizontal meniscal lesions : a biomechanical cadaver study

Horizontal meniscal tears are often treated by partial meniscectomy. Some clinical studies have shown successful repair. The purpose of this study was to show that axial loading causes less horizontal displacement in partial than in total horizontal lesions and that suture of those lesions prevents horizontal displacement. Forty menisci were tested : sutured partial horizontal lesions (ten), sutured total horizontal lesions (ten) and matched unsutured control groups (ten each). Samples were put in a custom made fixation device. 1000 cycles with axial loading, simulating partial weight-bearing of 15kg, were applied. Displacement was measured and construct stiffness was calculated. No suture failure or pullout occurred. Horizontal displacement was insignificantly lower in partial then in full lesions as well as in sutured samples than in the control groups. Horizontal displacement is low in both sutured and unsutured menisci in our test setting. Further studies with higher loads are required.