Broken arrow: a complication of meniscal repair.

Abstract

A case is reported in which a biodegradable arrow, used for arthroscopic meniscal repair, broke and migrated from the back to the front of the knee. Further surgery was necessary to remove the broken fragment. The concept of this sort of repair device is appealing as it may overcome some of the difficulties of suture repair techniques for posterior meniscal tears. However, surgeons should be aware that such devices can break and that the fragment may migrate. Questions over the shearing and bending strength, and the fixation of these devices should be addressed.