Purpose: A novel indication and technique using exogenous fibrin clots to repair horizontal cleavage tears of the meniscus is presented.
Methods: Vertical sutures were placed on the meniscus using FasT-Fix (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Andover, MA, USA), and exogenous fibrin clots were inserted within the cleft to promote healing and to preserve function.
Results: Repeat arthroscopy showed healing and closure of the cleft of the meniscus without affecting the articular cartilage. Three medial and six lateral menisci were treated, and all of the patients showed improvements in their functional scores and their quality of life.
Conclusions: It appears that the exogenous fibrin clots act as a scaffold to promote the healing process and that growth factors in the fibrin clots had a beneficial effect on meniscal healing. This procedure should be considered to treat degenerative menisci for which repair options have been limited until now.
Level of evidence: IV.