Current concepts on the surgical treatment of ramp, root, and radial meniscal tears

Background and Aims Meniscus tears are among the most common sports medicine knee injuries. Proper diagnosis and treatment of ramp, root, and radial meniscus tears is critical to ultimately help improve patient outcomes. Each type of meniscus tear has unique tear locations and patterns, requiring different surgical repair techniques and rehabilitation protocols. This narrative review aims to discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for ramp, root, and radial tears. Materials and Methods A narrative review was conducted to explore current surgical treatment and protocols for these three types of meniscal tears. A search was conducted on PubMed for all relevant literature. Results As the literature advances, there is growing evidence demonstrating improved outcomes for patients undergoing meniscal repairs. Ramp tears are often repaired using inside-out or all-inside techniques, while root tears require a transtibial tunnel or an all-inside repair. Radial tears are repaired using an inside-out, all-inside, or transtibial tunnel repair. Having current concepts on these repair techniques allows for surgeons to remain updated on the best treatment options. Conclusion As the important roles of the menisci for both knee biomechanics and joint health are becoming more well known, there is a greater emphasis on meniscus repair. Ramp, root, and radial tears are three common meniscus tears, and all should be repaired when possible. Proper understanding of the meniscus anatomy, tear diagnosis, treatment techniques, and rehabilitation is critical to optimize patient outcomes.