Meniscal repair in children and adolescents

Meniscal tears in children and adolescents are uncommon but well-recognized injuries. Because meniscal tears and other more common acute injuries to the skeletally immature knee-such as fractures and patellar dislocations-typically present with hemarthrosis, careful diagnosis including history, physical examination, and imaging studies should occur. Options for treatment of meniscal tears include observation, partial resection, or repair. The recommended repair approach includes an inside-out technique for medial and lateral tears, an outside-in repair for more anterior tears, and all-inside repair techniques. Greater vascularity in the meniscus of the skeletally immature patient makes it more amenable to repair than its adult counterpart.