Arthroscopic resection of a bucket handle tear of the meniscus: a technical note

Arthroscopic resection of bucket handle tears of the meniscus is difficult owing to the obstructed view of the posterior horn. It often requires an additional portal for access or additional tools. We describe a technique involving conventional tools including grasper, shaver, and basket forceps. No additional portal is required. The basket forceps are used to cut the anterior attachment of the tear, and the bucket handle is shaved to a suitable size. The grasper is then used to hold the remaining meniscus and move it to the posterior space. The posterior corner of the meniscus is then turned over so that its posterior horn can be seen and accessible for cutting. This technique is primarily for medial meniscectomy. For lateral meniscectomy, the conventional technique may suffice, as the lateral compartment can be easily expanded between the femur and tibia.