Repair of the medial meniscus posterior root tear using an all-inside meniscal repair device is not necessary during open-wedge high tibial osteotomy

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the clinical and arthroscopic results of medial meniscus posterior tear (MMPRT) repair using an all-inside meniscal repair device combined with high tibial osteotomy (HTO), compared with HTO performed without MMPRT repair.MethodsOverall, 38 patients who underwent open-wedge HTO using a locking plate were examined. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative arthroscopic evaluation confirmed MMPRT. During HTO, meniscal repair with an all-inside meniscal repair device was performed in 24 cases, while partial meniscectomy of the movable torn meniscus was conducted in 14 cases with MMPRT. At 2 years postoperatively, arthroscopic meniscus healing, clinical results, and radiologic results were compared.ResultsArthroscopic evaluation showed improvement in the condition of the medial compartment cartilage after HTO in both groups. In the repair group, meniscus root healing was observed in 22 of 24 cases (92%), whereas in the no-repair group, healing was observed in 10 of 14 cases (71%); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Medial joint space increased in both groups (from 2.4 to 3.2 mm and 2.6 to 3.2 mm, respectively), and clinical scores also improved after HTO, with no significant differences between groups. Osteoarthritis progression, as assessed by K-L grade, progressed after HTO in both groups, without significant differences.ConclusionsNo significant differences were observed in arthroscopic, clinical, or radiographic results after HTO, regardless of MMPRT repair with the all-inside meniscal suture device. These findings suggest that MMPRT repair with the all-inside meniscal repair device may not be necessary during HTO.