Meniscoplasty And Centralization For Medial Meniscus Degenerative Tears With Extrusion: A Novel Technique And Initial Clinical Outcomes

Meniscoplasty And Centralization For Medial Meniscus Degenerative Tears With Extrusion: A Novel Technique And Initial Clinical Outcomes

Benjamin Murray, DO, UNITED STATES S. Ali Ghasemi, MD, UNITED STATES James Raphael, MD, UNITED STATES Gene Shaffer, MD, UNITED STATES

Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES


2025 Congress   ePoster Presentation   2025 Congress   Not yet rated

 

Anatomic Location

Anatomic Structure

Diagnosis / Condition

Treatment / Technique

Diagnosis Method

MRI


Summary: A novel procedure utilizing meniscoplasty and centralization for degenerative medial meniscus tears with extrusion involves a unique meniscal release technique and has positive initial clinical outcomes.


Introduction

Medial meniscal extrusion occurs when the meniscus protrudes beyond the tibial margin of the knee joint. This displacement away from the natural position can lead to a loss of meniscal mechanical function. Additionally, meniscotibial ligament insufficiency may lead to destabilization and extrusion of the medial meniscus. Medial meniscus extrusion is a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis, and may predispose individuals to medial meniscus posterior root tears. Further, in patients with degenerative medial meniscus tears or prior meniscectomy, part of the meniscus is absent. We describe a novel technique, involving meniscoplasty and centralization, that establishes a new meniscus with advancements, while concomitantly fixing the meniscal extrusion. Ultimately, the goal is to restore meniscal function, position, and stability.

Methods

Through a medial mid arthroscopic portal, an incision was made through the capsule to visualize the anterior medial collateral ligament. A periosteum elevator was passed between the second and third layers of the medial knee, and used to release the capsule from subcutaneous tissue. The elevator was then advanced to the posterior aspect of the posteromedial medial meniscus to check meniscal mobility. Once adequate mobility and centralization were achieved, a rasp was used under the inferior aspect of the meniscus to prepare the tibial metaphysis and meniscotibial ligament just off the edge of the joint surface. Rasping extended from the anterior to posterior extent of the lesion. A grasper was then used to pull the capsule centrally to confirm that the released capsule could be easily advanced to reform a meniscus-like configuration. Capsular advancement was performed using the centralization technique. The released capsule was advanced and centralized onto the rim of the medial tibial plateau to reform a meniscus-like configuration. 3 months post-operatively, patients were asked two questions: Have your symptoms improved compared to before surgery? Would you recommend this surgery to someone else? Pre-operative and post-operative KOOS, IKDC, and Lysholm scores were obtained. A two-tailed distribution paired t-test was used to determine statistical significance (p < 0.05) between pre-operative and post-operative scores.

Results

25 patients were included in an initial cohort of this novel procedure. The average age was 64.96 years. Average follow up was 7.76 months (range 4-16). Initial improvements in pre-operative to post-operative clinical outcomes have been promising. The mean KOOS score significantly increased from 36.25 (SD = 14.48) to 64.76 (SD = 15.13) post-operatively (p = 0.005). The mean IKDC score significantly increased from 34.90 (SD = 14.05) pre-operatively to 65.91 (SD = 13.62) post-operatively (p = 0.0013). The mean Lysholm score significantly increased from 33.13 (SD = 14.52) pre-operatively to 73.13 (SD = 10.41) post-operatively (p = 0.0007).

Conclusion

We describe a novel technique for degenerative medial meniscus tears with extrusion, using meniscoplasty and centralization. This technique involves a release of the meniscus and capsule that is initiated between layers 2 and 3 of the medial knee, facilitating advancement and mobilization of the meniscus inside the joint. Initial clinical outcomes of a small cohort are promising.