Outcomes of Meniscus Root Repair Using a Transtibial Pullout Technique

Multi-Center Prospective Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Meniscus Root Repair Using a Transtibial Pullout Technique

The results of this study will optimize the care for patients with a meniscus root tear. Surgeons will be able to determine if MRR (meniscus root repair) with transtibial pullout technique is an effective treatment and will identify potential risk factors for poor clinical outcomes. In addition, investigators will determine if MRR is successful in delaying the radiographic progression of arthritis in the involved compartment.

Study Overview

• Status: Enrolling by invitation
• Conditions: Meniscus Tear
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Transtibial pullout technique

Detailed Description

The loss of attachment at the root of the meniscus impairs the ability to maintain hoop strain when the tibiofemoral joint is loaded. This loss of hoop strain is responsible for the increased pressure on the articular cartilage.

This new awareness has prompted surgeons to consider surgical repair for treatment of meniscal root avulsions. Despite this recent focus on results of surgical repair, prospective studies are lacking, and the optimal surgical indications and technique have not been optimized.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 55
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Minnesota
    • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
      • Mayo Clinic
  • Missouri
    • Columbia, Missouri, United States, 65201
      • Columbia Orthopaedic Group

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meniscus root avulsion tear (defined as meniscus posterior horn root avulsion or full thickness tear within 9 mm of the root attachment)
2. Age 18-65
3. Ligament injury with concomitant reconstruction is acceptable
4. Malalignment with corrective osteotomy is acceptable

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subchondral collapse on pre-op MRI
2. Extrusion greater than 3 mm
3. Intra-op Outerbridge grade 3 or greater chondromalacia
4. Intra-op poor quality meniscus tissue
5. Mal-alignment greater than 5 degrees without corrective osteotomy
6. Obesity with BMI over 40
7. Kellgren Lawrence > grade 2
8. Worker's compensation status

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Transtibial pullout technique; Evaluation of the clinical and radiographic outcomes for patients undergoing a meniscus root repair (MRR) using a transtibial pullout technique.	Procedure: Transtibial pullout technique; Evaluating radographs

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Tegner activity score	Tegner activity level scale is a graduated list of activities of daily living, recreation, and competitive sports. The patient is asked to select the level of participation that best describes their current level of activity and that before injury. The score varies from 0-10. A score of 0 represents sick leave or disability pension because of knee problems, whereas a score of 10 corresponds to participation in national and international elite competitive sports >6 score can only be achieved if the person participates in recreational or competitive sport.	baseline, 2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Mayo Clinic
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Daniel Saris, MD, Mayo Clinic

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Krych AJ, Song BM, Nauert RF 3rd, Cook CS, Levy BA, Camp CL, Stuart MJ, Smith PA. Prospective Consecutive Clinical Outcomes After Transtibial Root Repair for Posterior Meniscal Root Tears: A Multicenter Study. Orthop J Sports Med. 2022 Feb 24;10(2):23259671221079794. doi: 10.1177/23259671221079794. eCollection 2022 Feb.
• Krych AJ, Nauert RF 3rd, Song BM, Cook CS, Johnson AC, Smith PA, Stuart MJ. Association Between Transtibial Meniscus Root Repair and Rate of Meniscal Healing and Extrusion on Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Prospective Multicenter Study. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021 Aug 16;9(8):23259671211023774. doi: 10.1177/23259671211023774. eCollection 2021 Aug.

Helpful Links

• Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 1, 2017
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 27, 2017
• First Posted (Estimated): January 31, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): January 7, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 5, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 16-005841

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No