Apparatus for conducting a meniscal repair

An apparatus 302 for applying an elongate support meniscal collar, band or suture at the periphery of a meniscus of a knee joint comprises a needle 352 with an arcuate blade 356 for insertion into the knee joint and introduction of the elongate member into the knee joint, a support member 306 having curved guide channels 308 for supporting and orienting the needle 352, and a guide member 312 for insertion into the knee joint adjacent the peripheral edge of the meniscus. An alternative apparatus for forming loops of suture material at the periphery of a meniscus of a knee joint comprises an introducer having a bore and an angled guide portion at its distal end for guiding a needle at an angle. Also disclosed is a method for treating a damaged or displaced meniscus of the knee by extending an elongate retaining member along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the meniscus, anchoring its ends and applying tension, to apply a radially confining force on the outer periphery of the meniscus ...