Inside-Out Meniscal Repair: Medial and Lateral Approach

Preservation of meniscal tissue has been proven to be the best approach in most cases of meniscal tears. Currently available techniques for treating a peripheral meniscal tear include inside-out, outside-in, and all-inside techniques. Each of these techniques present potential advantages and disadvantages. Despite technologic advances in all-inside devices, because of implant-related complications, cost concerns, and device availability, the inside-out technique is still the preferred method among many surgeons. Although the inside-out repair technique is considered more technically demanding and requires additional incisions, it has several advantages such as the possibility for an increased number of sutures, creating a stronger construct, and greater versatility in their placement. This article describes the inside-out meniscal repair technique with its corresponding posterolateral and posteromedial surgical approaches.