ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY 

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2013 June;64(3):239-45

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Posterior horn detachment lesion of the lateral meniscus: a review of the literature and technique for repair

Schillhammer C. K., Werner F. W., Scuderi M. G., Cannizzaro J. P. ✉

State University New York Upstate, Syracuse, NY, USA

Detachment of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus can occur at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. While it may be possible to identify the lesion via preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), often it is discovered during diagnostic arthroscopy prior to ACL reconstruction. Traditionally the lesion was treated by shaving the unstable portion of the tear or with observation. Biomechanical data suggests that these injuries result in a loading profile similar to menisectomy and that repair can restore a physiologic loading profile. Some surgeons have begun advocating for repair and have published techniques as well as limited clinical data. This article will present a review of the literature relevant to lateral meniscus posterior horn detachment (PHD) lesions and the senior authors’ surgical technique for repair.