Transtibial pullout repair improved short-term clinical outcomes in patients with oblique medial meniscus posterior root tear comparable to radial root tear

Purpose: Medial meniscus (MM) posterior root tears (PRT) can lead to excessive knee loading and unsatisfactory clinical outcomes after non-operative treatment or meniscectomy. Although favourable clinical outcomes after MM posterior root (PR) repair have been reported, no study has specifically investigated the outcomes of different types of MMPRT. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with complete radial and oblique MMPRT following MMPR repair.

Methods: Forty patients who had undergone MMPR repair were retrospectively investigated. Patients with type 2 (20 knees) and 4 MMPRT (20 knees) were included in this study. The MMPRT type was classified according to the LaPrade classification. Plain radiographs, magnetic resonance images, arthroscopic findings, and pre- and postoperative clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Results: At 1 year postoperatively, clinical outcomes notably improved in patients with type 2 and 4 MMPRT. No significant differences were observed in any of the evaluations between these patients, both before and after the surgery.

Conclusion: Patients with type 2 and type 4 MMPRT exhibited significantly improved clinical outcomes. MMPR repair is beneficial in treating type 2 and type 4 MMPRT.

Level of evidence: IV.