Lateral Meniscus Allograft Transplantation: An All-Soft Tissue All-Inside Technique

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Lateral meniscus tears often accompany anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
• Subtotal lateral meniscectomy increases osteoarthritis risk in patients with meniscal deficiency.
• Lateral meniscus allograft transplant (LMAT) can improve joint longevity in these patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a specific technique for lateral meniscus allograft transplantation.
• To highlight the use of an all-soft tissue graft and an all-inside repair device.
• To demonstrate a rapid, safe, and effective LMAT procedure without specialized equipment.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an all-soft tissue lateral meniscus allograft.
• Root repair was performed using transtibial tunnels.
• Peripheral fixation employed a flexible all-inside repair device, eliminating the need for a "safety incision".

Main Results:

• The described technique allows for rapid and safe LMAT.
• No specialized equipment or additional incisions were required.
• Equivalent clinical-radiologic results have been observed with various LMAT techniques.

Conclusions:

• This all-soft tissue LMAT technique with all-inside peripheral repair is efficient and safe.
• The procedure is suitable for patients with meniscal deficiency, potentially improving joint health.
• Further research may explore long-term outcomes compared to other LMAT methods.