ABSTRACT
In meniscal extrusion (ME), the meniscus cannot play its biomechanical role in load distribution and force absorption by dispersing tibiofemoral axial load. Significant ME will increase contact forces that contribute to the advancement of knee osteoarthritis. Arthroscopic direct meniscal extrusion reduction (ADMER) to reduce persistent ME in posterior root medial meniscus (PRMM) repair has been recommended and showed a promising outcome. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of conventional PRMM repair with PRMM repair + ADMER technique. A total of eighteen (18) porcine tibia with attached intact medial meniscus were used and the specimens were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 6 each). The groups included: Control group (C) with healthy medial meniscus, conventional PRMM repair (P) group, and PRMM repair with ADMER technique (A) group. All specimens underwent testing for static pull-out strength with a servo-hydraulic material testing machine. Means and standard deviations of pullout strength were compared. Mean pull-out strength was 1047.19 N (±64.4) for the control group, 256.41 N (±54.26) for C group and 367.48 N (±40.5) for ADMER group. Maximum pull-out strength for ADMER was significantly higher compared to C group (p-value 0.006). PRMM Repair combined with ADMER technique had superior pullout strength compared to conventional PRMM repair. However, both techniques did not reach the strength of the native meniscus.
