Meniscal Surgery & Repair
This video demonstrates a displaced bucket handle tear of the medial meniscus. The meniscus is locked into the intercondylar notch region of the knee.
Dr Chris Vertullo presents "Why I Repair Meniscal Tears" at the an OSSM Physiotherapy Education Evening.
The meniscus is a vital structure in the knee that acts as a shock absorber and helps protect the joint from wear and tear. Preserving the meniscus whenever possible is important in reducing the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.Where suitable, Dr Vertullo repositions and repairs torn meniscus tissue using arthroscopic techniques. Repairs are performed using either all-inside devices or inside-out sutures, depending on the type and location of the tear. In most cases, a bone marrow clot is also added to help stimulate healing and improve the chance of a successful repair.
It is important to note that many people over the age of 50 will have meniscal tears visible on MRI scans as part of early osteoarthritis. In these cases, surgery is usually not required. Meniscectomy (removing part of the meniscus) is generally best avoided unless there are rare situations where the knee is locking or becomes locked.
The aim in all procedures is to preserve as much healthy meniscus tissue as possible while relieving symptoms and maintaining long-term knee health.