Bump Sign After Anatomic Repair of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Knee Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) disrupt knee biomechanics and can accelerate osteoarthritis.
• Untreated MMPRTs lead to significant knee dysfunction and degenerative changes.
• Surgical repair is crucial for restoring knee function and delaying osteoarthritis progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a transtibial pull-out repair technique for MMPRTs.
• To highlight the intraoperative "bump sign" as an indicator of successful anatomic reduction.
• To present a reproducible and stable surgical method for MMPRT repair.

Main Methods:

• Detailed description of a transtibial pull-out repair for MMPRTs.
• Emphasis on precise tibial tunnel placement and a 3-suture meniscal configuration.
• Transtibial fixation using a cortical button and observation of the "bump sign" during suture tensioning.

Main Results:

• The "bump sign" (subtle elevation of the medial femoral condyle) reliably confirms successful anatomic reduction and meniscal tension reestablishment.
• The described technique provides a stable fixation method with reduced risk of suture loosening.
• Successful intraoperative confirmation of repair is achieved through the "bump sign" maneuver.

Conclusions:

• The transtibial pull-out repair technique offers a reproducible method for MMPRTs.
• The "bump sign" serves as a valuable intraoperative indicator of successful meniscal reduction and fixation.
• This surgical approach effectively restores knee function and stability, potentially delaying osteoarthritis progression.