Arthroscopic Belt Capsulodesis Using an All-Soft Suture Anchor for Degenerative Extruded Lateral Meniscus.

Abstract

In recent years, degenerative meniscal lesions have received increasing attention as an etiological factor in the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis. Among various features associated with meniscal degeneration, meniscal extrusion is considered to be a significant morphologic factor affecting meniscal function. On the basis of the close association between medial meniscal extrusion and osteoarthritic progression reported in literature, surgical reduction of the extruded medial meniscus by means of arthroscopic centralization or capsulodesis has been proposed to restore meniscal function, with favourable outcomes reported. On the lateral side of the knee, meniscal extrusion may also be associated with various meniscal lesions, such as degenerative, radial, posterior root, and discoid meniscal tears, or present as a complication after partial meniscectomy or meniscal transplantation. This article describes the rationale and procedure for arthroscopic belt capsulodesis using two knotless anchors in order to reduce lateral meniscus extrusion. The procedure described in this technical note is technically simple and can effectively reduce the meniscal extrusion by reattaching and tightening the capsule, thereby restoring meniscal function.