Arthroscopic all-inside repair of anterior horn tears of the lateral meniscus using a spinal needle

Several techniques have been used for the arthroscopic repair of anterior horn tears of the lateral meniscus. A commonly used method is the outside-in technique. This technique is known to be the most appropriate and safest technique for peripheral tears of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus. But it has the disadvantage of making an additional 1–2 cm sized skin incision and tying knots subcutaneously over the capsule. Irritation may also occur. We have developed a new alternative repair method to prevent this skin incision and preserve the normal biomechanics of the lateral meniscus during motion. These techniques are modified methods of the outside-in meniscal repair using a spinal needle. They are as simple as conventional outside-in technique. In addition, they have advantages of vertical mattress suture, which is an important characteristic of the all-inside repair, and no additional incision. We recommend these methods as an alternative technique for repairing an anterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus.