T-Fix anchor sutures for arthroscopic meniscal repair

The results of arthroscopically repaired meniscal tears with the T-Fix system in a short-term follow-up of 6 months was assessed in a non-comparative, prospective study. The T-Fix device consists of a short, rigid Delrin T attached to a braided, non-absorbable, polyester suture which is preloaded inside and deployed through a delivery (spinal) needle. The T grabs inside the tissue and provides an anchor for the suture. Twenty menisci in 20 patients (mean age 29 years) were repaired. Sports-related injuries were documented in 18 patients. In 15 patients, meniscus tears were repaired 6 months or more after injury. Half of the patients had isolated meniscus injuries. Associated injuries included anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial or lateral collateral ligament ruptures. These were not treated at the time of meniscal surgery except for an ACL reconstruction. All tears were longitudinal and positioned mainly in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. A total of 70 T-Fixes were used with an average of 3 per patient (range 2-7). Only 4 T-Fixes (6%) were unsuccessfully placed, and this occurred early on in the series in 4 patients. In 90% of the patients, the postoperative activity levels returned to preoperative levels, and the clinical symptoms had either resolved or were experienced at a higher level of activity. The T-Fix device was relatively easy to use and could be reliably placed in the meniscus. Postoperatively, there were no complications directly associated with the device. However, further studies are needed to confirmed these results in a long-term follow-up in a larger patient population.