The surgical approach to lateral meniscal repair

Peripheral lateral meniscal tears are amenable to meniscal repair. Rasp abrasion and fibrin clot deposition along with vascular access channels are advances that, one hopes will increase healing rates of meniscal repairs. A basic principle that is not emphasized in the literature is how to perform the surgical approach to the lateral meniscus for safe placement of a meniscal repair retractor. This article reviews the anatomical planes of which the surgeon must be cognizant to facilitate retractor placement.