Improvement of surgical treatment of posterior meniscus injuries in children

Background. Meniscal injuries in children and adolescents are being reported with increasing frequency, which is associated with the growth of sports activity and advances in imaging techniques. Current treatment strategies focus on maximal preservation of the meniscus. The “all-inside” technique enables posterior horn repair without additional incisions; however, its use is limited by the high cost of disposable imported devices. Aim of the study. To improve the effectiveness and safety of posterior horn meniscus repair in children using a reusable guide.

Materials and methods. A retrospective comparison was conducted in one hundred patients aged of 5–17 years with posterior horn meniscus tears. Group 1 (n = 50) underwent “all-inside” repair with commercial anchor systems, while group 2 (n = 50) was treated using the original “Reverse” technique with a reusable instrument. The mean follow-up period was of 17–18 months.

Results. The recurrence rate was 2% in the “Reverse” group and 4% in the standard repair group (p = 1.0). No significant differences in complications were observed between groups. The “Reverse” technique allowed placing of a greater number of vertically oriented sutures without increasing the cost of surgery.

Conclusion. Arthroscopic posterior horn meniscus repair in children using the “Reverse” reusable guide demonstrated comparable outcomes to commercial all-inside systems at short-term follow-up. Economic accessibility and the ability to place anatomically stable vertical sutures make the technique a promising option for clinical practice.

Contribution:
Basargin D.Yu., Chelpachenko O.B. — concept and design of the study;
Basargin D.Yu., Vorobiev D.A., Lushnikov A.M. — collection and processing of material;
Basargin D.Yu., Lushnikov A.M. — statistical processing of material;
Basargin D.Yu., Chelpachenko O.B. — writing the text, editing the text.
All co-authors — approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Acknowledgment. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: September 17, 2025
Accepted: October 02, 2025
Published: October 30, 2025

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