Repair versus partial meniscus removal for displaced bucket-handle tears

Surgical Outcome After Displaced Bucket-handle Meniscal Lesions - Repair Versus Partial Meniscectomy: A 10-year Observational Study

Observational Region Skane · NCT07079254

This project will see if repairing displaced bucket-handle meniscus tears leads to fewer repeat surgeries and less early knee osteoarthritis than removing the damaged part in people aged 15 and older with a locked knee.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment300 (estimated)
Ages15 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorRegion Skane Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Hässleholm, Skåne County and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07079254 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational comparison of patients who undergo meniscus suture (repair) versus partial meniscectomy for displaced longitudinal bucket-handle tears that include the posterior horn and cause a knee extension deficit. Eligible patients are aged 15 or older, have MRI-confirmed displaced bucket-handle tears with extension loss, and undergo the chosen surgical procedure at participating centers in Region Skåne. Surgeons perform the procedure as clinically indicated and patients are followed with clinical and imaging outcomes to compare re-operation rates and signs of osteoarthritis over time. The study excludes patients with combined complete radial ruptures, those under 15, and those unable to communicate in Swedish.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: People aged 15 or older with an MRI-confirmed displaced longitudinal bucket-handle tear including the posterior horn and a knee extension deficit who can communicate in Swedish are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients younger than 15, those with a combined complete radial rupture found during surgery, those without a displaced bucket-handle tear, or those unable to communicate in Swedish are unlikely to benefit from joining this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If repair shows better outcomes, patients could have fewer repeat surgeries and a lower risk of developing early knee osteoarthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous cohort and comparative studies have suggested meniscal repair can preserve tissue and reduce long-term osteoarthritis risk compared with meniscectomy, though results and re-tear rates vary between series.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 15 years or above.
* Displaced longitudinal bucket-handle tear including the posterior horn on MRI and a knee extension deficit.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient younger than 15 years.
* Insufficient knowledge of the Swedish language.
* Per-operative findings including a bucket-handle rupture in combination with a complete radial rupture

Where this trial is running

Hässleholm, Skåne County and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Meniscus RuptureMeniscus InjuryOsteoarthritis of KneeMeniscusRe-operationBucket-handleOsteoarthritis
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.