Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Repair Using A Modified Mason-Allen Suture Can Prevent The Progression Of Cartilage Degeneration On The Loading Surface Of The Medial Compartment: A Second-Look Arthroscopic Evaluation

The treatment of medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) has evolved to include a variety of repair strategies. This study investigated the location of the articular cartilage degeneration during second-look arthroscopy after transtibial pullout repair with a modified Mason-Allen suture using FasT-Fix (F-MMA) in 22 patients with MMPRTs. Second-look arthroscopy was performed approximately 1 year postoperatively to evaluate the healing status of the medial meniscus (MM). Articular cartilage degeneration was assessed using the International Cartilage Repair Society grade at primary surgery and again at second-look arthroscopy. Articular surfaces of the medial/lateral femoral condyles, the medial/lateral tibial plateaus, the patella and the trochlea were divided into several subcompartments (MF 1-9, LF 1-9, MT 1-5, LT 1-5, P 1-9, T 1-3). Clinical evaluations used the Japanese Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome, Lysholm, and International Knee Documentation Committee scores. Second-look arthroscopic findings showed complete healing of the MM posterior root in all patients. Significant differences between pullout repair and second-look arthroscopy were observed for MF 2 and 4, LF 7, and P 7. All clinical outcomes were improved. Our results indicate that this technique improves clinical outcomes postoperatively and may prevent the progression of cartilage degeneration on the loading surface of the medial knee compartment.