Meniscal repair using the FasT-Fix device in patients with chronic meniscal lesions

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate meniscal suturing using the FasT-Fix device for chronic meniscal tears. This procedure was carried out on 25 patients between 2006 and 2007. Nineteen patients were male and the median age was 31 (14-47) years. The median waiting time to surgery was 27 (6-80) months and the median follow-up was 20 (14-29) months. Eleven patients (44%) required reconstruction of an associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. 20 patients (80%) showed medial meniscus tears. All tears were located in the red zone or red-white zone. According to Barett's criteria, meniscal tear healing was achieved in 21 patients (84%). Lysholm and Tegner scale scores improved from 60 (47-77) preoperatively to 95 (58-100) postoperatively and from 3 (2-6) preoperatively to 6 (3-9) postoperatively, respectively. There were no neurovascular complications. Revision surgery was necessary in one patient, in whom a partial meniscectomy was performed. The results obtained suggest that chronic meniscal tears in the zones described can be healed.