A simple method of meniscus repair.

Current understanding of knee meniscus pathology and the known consequences of meniscal loss dictate preservation of tissues wherever feasible. Surgical approaches to meniscal repair include open and combined arthroscopic-open or arthroscopic-percutaneous procedures. A variety of needles, guides, sutures, and retractors have been marketed. Over a 2 year period, we used these techniques in the repair of 19 medial and 5 lateral meniscus tears, with no known retears and no complications. We used an 18-gauge, 6-inch spinal needle and a strand of number one nonabsorbable suture.