Arthroscopic all-inside treatment of popliteomeniscal fascicles tears: surgical technique and results from the first 6 consecutive patients.

Athletes whose knees are subjected to sudden changes of direction and high jumps such as martial arts athletes, dancers, wrestlers and football players are at higher risk of injuring popliteomeniscal fascicles. Painful squatting and mechanical symptoms such as locking sensation are common. Current available treatments includes open or arthroscopic in repair. Arthroscopic repair with all-inside device can relieve symptoms and restore knee function. Six patients from two surgical centers with isolated popliteomeniscal fascicles tears were treated with arthroscopic all-inside repair. The surgical technique is thoroughly described. All patients showed consistent symptoms and MRI findings, as well as meniscal hypermobility during arthroscopic probing. Moreover, four out of six showed a chondral lesion of the lateral femoral condyle. All of them had their lateral meniscus sutured with one or more sutures. Symptoms were relieved and all but one were able to return to play at the pre-injury level. No postoperative complications were encountered. The diagnosis of the disruption of popliteomeniscal fascicles is challenging and often seen in athletes that play sports which involve repetitive twisting. However, patients’ complaints are consistent. Arthroscopic repair with an all-inside device showed to be a reliable and easy technique for addressing the condition, although some issues still need to be investigated, such as how much constraint the repair should provide. Arthroscopic all-inside repair of popliteomeniscal tears prove to be safe and effective in the short-term follow-up, allowing for sport activity resumption.