Relaxation of the Medial Collateral Ligament to Facilitate Pediatric Meniscal Surgery

Abstract

Meniscal injuries are becoming increasingly common in the pediatric population. During arthroscopic evaluation, pediatric patients typically have pristine articular cartilage and tight medial joint spaces. Therefore, when an arthroscope enters the medial compartment, iatrogenic damage to the articular cartilage may occur. Additionally, proper visualization of the medial meniscus (posterior horn or meniscocapsular junction) can prove to be difficult, and potential pathology may be missed. Proposed methods of increasing medial compartment visualization include the use of a 70° arthroscope placed through the intercondylar notch (Gillquist maneuver), creation of a posteromedial portal, or relaxation of the deep medial collateral ligament (MCL). Similar techniques have been described for use in adults for partial meniscectomy, but not in the pediatric population. The purpose of this Technical Note is to describe the steps to successfully perform the relaxation technique for meniscal repairs in pediatric patients, using an extra-articular outside-in percutaneous method.