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Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Oct 2023There is no consensus established on postoperative rehabilitation after medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair, including when and how physicians can apply...
BACKGROUND
There is no consensus established on postoperative rehabilitation after medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) repair, including when and how physicians can apply range of motion (ROM) exercise, weight-bearing (WB), brace use, and return to sports (RTS). The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on postoperative rehabilitation characteristics of MMPRT repair regarding ROM, WB, brace use, and RTS.
METHODS
A literature search was performed using the Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase databases. The inclusion criteria were English language, human clinical studies, and studies describing rehabilitation protocols after MMPRT repair such as ROM, WB, brace use, and RTS. Abstracts, case reports, cohort studies, controlled laboratory studies, human cadaveric or animal studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were included. Of the 12 ROM studies, ROM was started immediately within 1 or 2 days after operation in 6 studies and after 2 to 3 weeks of knee immobilization in the rest. Of the 13 WB studies, partial weight-bearing was initiated 1 to 4 weeks after operation in 8 studies and 6 weeks in the rest. Of the 9 brace studies, patients were immobilized by a splint for 2 weeks in 3 studies, and in the rest, a brace with full extension was applied for 3 to 6 weeks after several days of splint application. Of the 7 RTS studies, RTS was allowed at 6 months in 6 studies and 5 to 7 months in 1 study.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review revealed conservative rehabilitation protocols were more widely adapted as ROM and WB were restricted at certain degrees during postoperative periods in most protocols analyzed. However, it is impossible to identify a consensus on rehabilitation protocols as the protocols analyzed in this review were distinct each other and heterogeneous. In the future, a well-designed comparative study among different rehabilitation protocols is essential to establish a consensus.
Topics: Humans; Menisci, Tibial; Return to Sport; Rupture; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Weight-Bearing
PubMed: 37811518
DOI: 10.4055/cios21231 -
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology,... Oct 2023To perform a systematic review of biomechanical and clinical outcomes following lateral meniscus posterior root (LMPR) repair with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament...
Lateral meniscus posterior root repair in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction restores joint mechanics to the intact state and improves clinical function: a systematic review of biomechanical and clinical outcomes.
PURPOSE
To perform a systematic review of biomechanical and clinical outcomes following lateral meniscus posterior root (LMPR) repair with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
METHODS
A literature search was performed systematically using PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases in April 2022. The search included the following terms combined with Boolean operators: 'Meniscus repairs', 'Meniscal Repair', 'Posterior Horn', 'Root', 'Radial'. Inclusion criteria consisted of level I-IV human clinical and biomechanical studies reporting biomechanical data and/or outcomes following LMPR repair in the setting of ACLR.
RESULTS
Three biomechanical studies, all utilizing a transtibial pullout technique, were identified, all of which reported significant improvement in joint contact pressures and mechanics and 3/4 of which reported significant improvement in anterior or rotational stability with LMPR repair. Five clinical studies, consisting of 146 patients (mean age 28.5 ± 1.1 years) undergoing LMPR repair, were identified with an average follow-up of 19.1 months (range 6.2-46 months). Across all clinical studies, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were found to improve postoperatively, with 3/4 reporting significant improvement in Lysholm (all, p ≤ 0.001) scores and 3/5 reporting significant improvement in IKDC scores when compared to preoperative values (all, p ≥ 0.004). Meniscal extrusion decreased significantly following repair in 2/4 studies (all, p ≤ 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Biomechanically, transtibial pullout repair of the LMPR restored joint contact pressures and joint mechanics to intact levels when performed with concomitant ACLR. Clinically, LMPR repair with concurrent ACLR resulted in improved Lysholm and IKDC scores. These findings enable surgeons to determine optimal treatment plans and discuss realistic outcomes with patients when encountering LMPR injuries.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
IV.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Child, Preschool; Menisci, Tibial; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; Knee Joint; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
PubMed: 37516986
DOI: 10.1007/s00167-023-07461-5 -
Cureus Jul 2023Ramp lesions are a common occurrence in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. These lesions can be difficult to diagnose due to their concealed nature,... (Review)
Review
Ramp lesions are a common occurrence in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. These lesions can be difficult to diagnose due to their concealed nature, and their treatment is crucial due to the stabilizing function of the medial meniscocapsular region. The optimal treatment option for ramp lesions varies depending on the size and stability of the lesion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the best treatment option for ramp lesions based on the stability of the lesion, including no treatment, biological treatment, and arthroscopic repair. We hypothesize that stable lesions have a favorable prognosis with techniques that do not require the use of meniscal sutures. In contrast, unstable lesions require appropriate fixation, either through an anterior or posteromedial portal. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis with a level of evidence IV. The study used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for a systematic review of clinical studies reporting outcomes of ramp lesion treatment. The PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched using Mesh and non-Mesh terms related to ramp lesions, medial meniscus ramp lesions, and meniscocapsular injuries. The inclusion criteria encompassed clinical studies in English or Spanish that reported the treatment of ramp meniscal lesions, with a follow-up of at least six months and inclusion of functional results, clinical stability tests, radiological evaluation, or arthroscopic second look. The analysis included 13 studies with 1614 patients. Five studies distinguished between stable and unstable ramp lesions using different criteria (displacement or size) for assessment. Of the stable lesions, 90 cases received no treatment, 64 cases were treated biologically (debridement, edge-curettage, or trephination), and 728 lesions were repaired. There were 221 repaired unstable lesions. All different methods of repair were registered. In stable lesions, three studies were included in a network meta-analysis. The best-estimated treatment for stable lesions was biological (SUCRA 0.9), followed by repair (SUCRA 0.6), and no treatment (SUCRA 0). In unstable lesions, seven studies using International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC) and 10 studies using Lysholm for functional outcomes showed significant improvement from preoperative to postoperative scores after repair, with no differences between repairing methods. We recommend simplifying the classification of ramp lesions as stable or unstable to determine treatment. Biological treatment is preferred for stable lesions rather than leaving them in situ. Unstable lesions, on the other hand, require repair, which has been associated with excellent functional outcomes and healing rates.
PubMed: 37435014
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41651 -
Arthroscopy : the Journal of... Mar 2024To investigate the up-to-date clinical outcomes of tissue-engineered meniscus implants for meniscus defects. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To investigate the up-to-date clinical outcomes of tissue-engineered meniscus implants for meniscus defects.
METHODS
A search was performed by 3 independent reviewers on PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane from 2016 to June 18, 2023, with the term "meniscus" with all the following terms: "scaffolds," "constructs," "implant," and "tissue engineering." Inclusion criteria included "Clinical trials" and "English language articles" that involved isolated meniscus tissue engineering strategies for meniscus injuries. Only Level I to IV clinical studies were considered. The modified Coleman Methodology score was used for quality analysis of included clinical trials. The Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies was employed for analysis of the risk of study bias and methodological quality.
RESULTS
The search identified 2,280 articles, and finally 19 original clinical trials meeting the inclusion criteria were included. Three types of tissue-engineered meniscus implants (CMI-Menaflex, Actifit, and NUsurface) have been clinically evaluated for meniscus reconstruction. Lack of standardized outcome measures and imaging protocols limits comparison between studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Tissue-engineered meniscus implants can provide short-term knee symptom and function improvements, but no implants have been shown to propose significant long-term benefits for meniscus defects.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.
Topics: Humans; Tissue Engineering; Menisci, Tibial; Meniscus; Knee Joint; Prostheses and Implants
PubMed: 37414105
DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2023.06.043 -
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology,... Oct 2023Meniscal injuries are common. Outside-in meniscal repair is one of the techniques advocated for the management of traumatic meniscal tears. This systematic review... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Meniscal injuries are common. Outside-in meniscal repair is one of the techniques advocated for the management of traumatic meniscal tears. This systematic review investigated the outcomes of the outside-in repair technique for the management of traumatic tears of the menisci. The outcomes of interest were to investigate whether PROMs improved and to evaluate the rate of complications.
METHODS
Following the 2020 PRISMA statement, in May 2023, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase were accessed with no time constraints. All the clinical investigations which reported data on meniscal repair using the outside-in technique were considered for inclusion. Only studies which reported data on acute traumatic meniscal tears in adults were considered. Only studies which reported a minimum of 24 months of follow-up were eligible.
RESULTS
Data from 458 patients were extracted. 34% (155 of 458) were women. 65% (297 of 458) of tears involved the medial meniscus. The mean operative time was 52.9 ± 13.6 min. Patients returned to their normal activities at 4.8 ± 0.8 months. At a mean of 67-month follow-up, all PROMs of interest improved: Tegner scale (P = 0.003), Lysholm score (P < 0.0001), International Knee Documentation Committee (P < 0.0001). 5.9% (27 of 458) of repairs were considered failures. Four of 186 (2.2%) patients experienced a re-injury, and 5 of 458 (1.1%) patients required re-operation.
CONCLUSION
Meniscal repair using the outside-in technique can be effectively performed to improve the quality of life and the activity level of patients with acute meniscal tears.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Female; Male; Quality of Life; Tibial Meniscus Injuries; Arthroscopy; Menisci, Tibial; Knee Joint; Knee Dislocation; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37314454
DOI: 10.1007/s00167-023-07475-z -
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma... Oct 2023Inside-out and all-inside arthroscopic meniscal repairs are widely performed. However, it remains unclear which method promotes greater clinical outcomes. This study... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Inside-out and all-inside arthroscopic meniscal repairs are widely performed. However, it remains unclear which method promotes greater clinical outcomes. This study compared inside-out versus all-inside arthroscopic meniscal repair in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), failures, return to play, and symptoms.
METHODS
This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Two authors independently performed the literature search by accessing the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus in February 2023. All clinical studies which investigated the outcomes of all-inside and/or inside-out meniscal repair were considered.
RESULTS
Data from 39 studies (1848 patients) were retrieved. The mean follow-up was 36.8 (9 to 120) months. The mean age of the patients was 25.8 ± 7.9 years. 28% (521 of 1848 patients) were women. No difference was found in PROMs: Tegner Activity Scale (P = 0.4), Lysholm score (P = 0.2), and International Knee Document Committee score (P = 0.4) among patients undergoing meniscal repair with all inside or inside-out techniques. All-inside repairs showed a greater rate of re-injury (P = 0.009) but also a greater rate of return to play at the pre-injury level (P = 0.0001). No difference was found in failures (P = 0.7), chronic pain (P = 0.05), reoperation (P = 0.1) between the two techniques. No difference was found in the rate of return to play (P = 0.5) and to daily activities (P = 0.1) between the two techniques.
CONCLUSION
Arthroscopic all-inside meniscal repair may be of special interest in patients with a particular interest in a fast return to sport, while, for less demanding patients, the inside-out suture technique may be recommended. High-quality comparative trials are required to validate these results in a clinical setting.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level III, systematic review.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Male; Menisci, Tibial; Reinjuries; Return to Sport; Knee Joint; Lysholm Knee Score; Arthroscopy; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37284879
DOI: 10.1007/s00402-023-04933-8 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Jun 2023Medial meniscal posterior root tear (MMPRTs) is a common lesion of the knee joint, and repair surgery is a well-established treatment option. However, patients with...
BACKGROUND
Medial meniscal posterior root tear (MMPRTs) is a common lesion of the knee joint, and repair surgery is a well-established treatment option. However, patients with obvious varus alignment are at an increased risk for MMPRT and can suffer from a greater degree of medial meniscus extrusion, which leads to the development of osteoarthritis following repair. The efficacy of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) as a means of correcting this malformation, and its potential benefits for MMPRT repair, remains unclear.
PURPOSE
To explore whether HTO influenced the outcome of MMPRT repair in clinical scores and radiological findings.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
METHODS
According to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases for studies reporting the outcomes of MMPRT repair and extracted data about characteristics of patients, clinical functional scores and radiologic outcomes. One reviewer extracted the data and 2 reviewers assessed the risk of bias and performed a synthesis of the evidence. Articles were eligible if they reported the results of MMPRT repair with exact mechanical axis (registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, CRD42021292057).
RESULTS
Fifteen studies with 625 cases of high methodological quality were identified. Eleven studies were assigned to the MMPRT repair group (M) with 478 cases performing MMPRT repair only, and others belonged to the MMPRT repair and HTO group (M and T) performing HTO and MMPRT repair. Most of the studies had significantly improved clinical outcome scores, especially in M groups. And the radiologic outcomes showed that the osteoarthritis deteriorated in both groups with similar degree in about 2-year follow-up.
CONCLUSION
HTO is a useful supplement in treating MMPRT patients with severe osteoarthritis and the clinical and radiological outcomes were similar with MMPRT repair alone. Which would be better for patients' prognosis generally, performing MMPRT repair alone or a combination of HTO and MMPRT repair, was still controversial. We suggested taking K-L grade into account. Large-scale randomized control studies were called for in the future to help make better clinical decisions.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
III.
Topics: Humans; Knee Joint; Menisci, Tibial; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Rupture; Osteoarthritis; Knee Injuries; Osteotomy; Arthroscopy; Retrospective Studies; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 37280599
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06520-9 -
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma... Sep 2023The meniscotibial ligament (MTL) limits extrusion of the medial meniscus (MM). While meniscal extrusion may be detrimental to knee joint biomechanics, the role of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The meniscotibial ligament (MTL) limits extrusion of the medial meniscus (MM). While meniscal extrusion may be detrimental to knee joint biomechanics, the role of the MTL in meniscal extrusion is debatable. We sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of the MTL and surgical techniques for MTL repair.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines we searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase for: (("Meniscotibial") OR ("Coronary") OR ("Ramp")) AND ("Extrusion"). After screening and applying eligibility criteria, data were extracted for MTL pathology types ("traumatic" ruptures or "induced" injuries) and meniscal extrusion. A meta-analysis evaluated the mean difference of extrusion between "intact" MTLs (native or repaired) and "injured" MTLs (induced or traumatic). We further performed a subgroup analysis between traumatic and induced MTL lesions.
RESULTS
This systematic review included six studies, which all evaluated MM extrusion. There were 74 knees with induced MTL injuries and 19 knees with traumatic MTL ruptures. Study designs were heterogenic and utilized three types of MTL repair procedures. The meta-analysis included 18 human knees and revealed that sectioning the MTL created a 2.92 mm [- 0.18 to 6.03] MM extrusion, while MTL repair decreased MM extrusion by - 2.11 mm [- 3.03 to - 1.21].
CONCLUSIONS
MTL injury may result in approximately 3 mm of MM extrusion, while repair of the MTL can decrease extrusion by 2 mm. Several novel surgical techniques exist to repair the MTL. However, studies reporting clinical outcomes of these various procedures are scarce.
Topics: Humans; Tibial Meniscus Injuries; Knee Joint; Menisci, Tibial; Meniscus; Ligaments, Articular; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
PubMed: 37266692
DOI: 10.1007/s00402-023-04934-7 -
Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia Apr 2023To perform a systematic review of the literature on the anatomy of the medial meniscotibial ligaments (MTLs), and to present the most accepted findings, as well as...
To perform a systematic review of the literature on the anatomy of the medial meniscotibial ligaments (MTLs), and to present the most accepted findings, as well as the evolution of the anatomical knowledge on this structure. An electronic search was conducted in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases with no date restrictions. The following index terms were used in the search: AND AND AND . The review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. We included anatomical studies of the knee were included, such as cadaver dissections, histological and/or biological investigations, and/or imaging of the medial MTL anatomy. Eight articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected. The first article was published in 1984 and the last, in 2020. The total sample in the 8 articles was of 96 patients. Most studies are purely descriptive in terms of the macroscopic morphological and microscopic histological findings. Two studies evaluated the biomechanical aspects of the MTL, and one, the anatomical correlation with the magnetic resonance imaging examination. The main function of the medial MTL, a ligament that originates in the tibia and is inserted in the lower meniscus, is to stabilize and maintain the meniscus in its position on the tibial plateau. However, there is a limited amount of information regarding medial MTLs, primarily in terms of anatomy, especially vascularization and innervation.
PubMed: 37252293
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749199 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery (Hong... 2023Complete meniscus root tear is associated with meniscus extrusion; this causes a loss of meniscus function and accelerated osteoarthritis of the knee. Existing... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Complete meniscus root tear is associated with meniscus extrusion; this causes a loss of meniscus function and accelerated osteoarthritis of the knee. Existing small-scale retrospective case-control studies suggested that the outcomes were different between medial and lateral meniscus root repair. This meta-analysis aims to study whether such discrepancies exist via a systematic review of the available evidence in the literature.
METHODS
Studies evaluating the outcomes of surgical repair of posterior meniscus root tears, with reassessment MRI or second-look arthroscopy, were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. The degree of meniscus extrusion, healing status of the repaired meniscus root, and functional outcome scores after repair were the outcomes of interest.
RESULTS
Among the 732 studies identified, 20 studies were included in this systematic review. 624 knees and 122 knees underwent MMPRT and LMPRT repair, respectively. The amount of meniscus extrusion following MMPRT repair was 3.8 ± 1.7 mm, which was significantly larger than the 0.9 ± 1.2 mm observed after LMPRT repair ( < 0.001). Significantly better healing outcomes were observed on reassessment MRI after LMPRT repair ( < 0.001). The postoperative Lysholm score and IKDC score was also significantly better after LMPRT than MMPRT repair ( < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
LMPRT repairs resulted in significantly less meniscus extrusion, substantially better healing outcomes on MRI, and superior Lysholm/IKDC scores, when compared to MMPRT repair. This is the first meta-analysis we are aware of that systematically reviews the differences in the clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic results of MMPRT and LMPRT repair.
Topics: Humans; Menisci, Tibial; Retrospective Studies; Knee Joint; Osteoarthritis; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Arthroscopy; Rupture
PubMed: 37173149
DOI: 10.1177/10225536231175233