Biomechanical Evaluation of Loop-Post Meniscal Root Repair Publisher



Asheri E ; Nourani A ; Foumani MS ; Javidmehr S
Source: International Journal of Mechanical Sciences Published:2026

Abstract

Meniscal root tears are common injuries that disrupt load distribution and joint stability, increasing the risk of cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis. However, experimentally validated, patient-specific biomechanical analyses that directly compare suturing configurations, tensioning strategies, and suture materials for meniscal root repair are still lacking. This study develops and validates an integrated experimental-computational framework to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of loop-post (LP) versus two simple-suture (TSS) meniscal root repairs across loading, tensioning, and suture-material conditions in a patient-specific knee model. Under femoral loads of 100–200 N, the simulated meniscal displacements closely matched experimental results, with differences below 10 %, confirming model reliability. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the LP technique consistently reduced meniscal extrusion relative to TSS across femoral loads of 300–1000 N, with up to an 18 % reduction at 1000 N. Stress analysis further revealed that LP significantly lowered von Mises stress around suture perforations, reducing the risk of meniscal tearing, particularly under higher suture tensions. Optimal fixation in LP was achieved at a 60 N suture tension, balancing stability with minimal risk of rupture. Evaluation of suture materials (FiberWire, Ethibond, PDS) showed negligible effects (<3.5 %) on displacement and stress outcomes. Overall, the LP technique provides superior biomechanical stability and reduced suture-induced stress compared to TSS, supporting its potential as a more effective method for meniscal root repair. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd