Lateral Meniscal Tears Can be Safely Repaired "All-Inside" Without Peroneal Nerve Injury: Case Series and Literature Review.

Abstract

Introduction: The menisci are a pair of fibrocartilaginous structures important for the normal biomechanical function of the knees. Tears are common, and multiple approaches have been used to repair meniscal tears. Of the approaches, the all-inside approach has historically been avoided for tears to the posterior aspect of the lateral meniscus (LM) due to the risk of popliteal and common peroneal neurovascular injury.

Case report: We reviewed the electronic medical records of all patients who underwent all-inside LM repair by our senior author from August 2022 through August 2023. Demographic, injury, and surgical data were collected to characterize surgical success and any complications attributed to the surgical approach. A literature review of MEDLINE was performed to investigate the current data regarding the all-inside approach and identify methods for improving safety and efficacy. Two cases were identified (one male and one female) who underwent all inside repair of the LM. No surgical complications were attributed to suture selection or placement, and no damage to the popliteal neurovascular structures was identified.

Conclusion: The all-inside approach is a safe arthroscopic approach for the repair of the LM. The current literature demonstrates multiple considerations and guidelines to mitigate the risk of neurovascular injury and supports the efficacy of the all-inside approach when compared to other surgical approaches.