How the All-Inside Meniscus Repair Device Works
In this video, I show you the tool itself: the all-inside meniscus repair device — one of the two techniques I rely on most when repairing a torn meniscus.
The device
On the device, you'll notice a set of numbers along the shaft. These aren't decorative — they let me adjust the depth of the needle, so I can control exactly how deep the suture anchor sits relative to the meniscus and capsule. Getting this depth right matters: too shallow and the fixation won't hold, too deep and it risks the surrounding structures.
How I use it
The technique itself is straightforward in concept, precise in execution:
I pass the device through the torn meniscus, then fire it — this deploys a suture anchor at that exact spot. I retrieve the needle, reposition, and fire again at a second point along the same tear. This gives two deployed sutures bridging the tear.
With both anchors in place, I then tighten the suture. You can see the tear close down as tension is applied — the torn edges pull together and compress against the capsule. Looking at it from the joint surface afterwards, the tear is now sealed at the back where it was previously open.
Why this technique
The appeal of the all-inside device is exactly what the name suggests — the entire repair happens from within the joint, through the same small portals I use to visualise the tear. No separate incision is needed to pass or tie sutures outside the knee, which keeps the procedure efficient without compromising the strength of the repair.
If you have any questions about this technique, feel free to ask me.