Meniscus TearFAST-FIX FLEXNCT04903106
Safety and Performance Study of the FAST-FIX FLEX System for Meniscal Repairs and Meniscal Transplantations
An observational study of Meniscus Tear, run by Smith & Nephew, Inc. at 5 sites in 4 countries.
Trial summary
This study is a post-market follow-up study (PMCF). The data collected will serve the purpose of confirming the safety and performance of the FAST-FIX FLEX device, used according to the indicated for use (IFU) for meniscal repair and meniscal transplantations. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Meniscus Tear
- What is being tested?
- FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair System
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- How many people
- 63 participants
- Where
- 5 sitesin 4 countries
- Study dates
- 20 Jan 2022to 26 Nov 2024
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Patients who require a meniscal repair or meniscal allograft transplantation.
Meniscal Repair Inclusion Criteria:
- Subject provides written informed consent for study participation using an independent ethical committee (IEC) / institutional review board (IRB) approved consent form;
- Subject is between sixteen (16) and seventy (70) years of age, inclusive at the time of screening;
- Subject is willing and able to participate in required follow-up visits and is able to complete study activities;
- Subject requires a meniscal repair;
- Subject is suitable to participate in the study in the opinion of the Investigator;
- Subject requires a meniscus repair concerning the red-red or red-white zones for acute or chronic 1-, 2- or 3-segment lesions, with or without associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Meniscal Allograft Transplantation Inclusion Criteria:
- Subject provides written informed consent for study participation using an independent ethical committee (IEC) / institutional review board (IRB) approved consent form;
- Subject is between sixteen (16) and seventy (70) years of age, inclusive at the time of screening;
- Subject is willing and able to participate in required follow-up visits and is able to complete study activities;
- Subject requires a meniscal allograft transplantation;
- Subject is suitable to participate in the study in the opinion of the Investigator.
- Subject requires a MAT for symptomatic meniscal insufficiency (load-related pain and swelling in the compartment post meniscectomy) for which conservative treatment has failed, with or without cartilage repair or restoration (including ACL reconstruction or repair).
Meniscal Repair Exclusion Criteria:
- Contraindications (per the FAST-FIX FLEX IFU) or hypersensitivity to the use of the FAST-FIX FLEX implant material. Where material sensitivity is suspected, appropriate tests should be made and sensitivity ruled out prior to implantation;
- Enrolled in the treatment period of another clinical trial within thirty (30) days of operative visit, or during the study;
- Women who are pregnant or nursing;
- Any subject that meets the definition of a Vulnerable Subject per ISO 14155 Section 3.55 (except for subjects aged sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age with consent from their legally authorized representative);
- Subjects with a history of poor compliance with medical treatment, physical therapy (PT)/rehabilitation, or clinical study participation;
- Patients with irreparable meniscal tears (i.e. multiple tears);
- Subjects with full thickness cartilage defects greater than 10mm in diameter and/or serious defects;
- Patients with concomitant ligament injuries that do not require surgical repair (i.e. ACL with Grade 3 lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury);
- Performance of a significant concomitant procedure, specifically a cartilage repair or restoration (excluding ACL reconstruction or repair, lateral extra-articular tenodesis, anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction) intended as a therapeutic intervention on the study knee;
- History of ipsilateral knee surgery, septic joint, or fracture;
- Pathological conditions in the soft tissue that would prevent secure fixation of the device;
- Physical conditions which would eliminate, or tend to eliminate, adequate anchor support or retard healing;
- The presence of infection;
- Conditions which would limit the patient's ability or willingness to restrict activities or follow directions during the healing period;
- Malalignment: genu varus and genu valgus angles greater than 5° as evaluated by the patient's physician as per their standard of care;
- Patients who have an Ahlback grade greater than II;
- Patients with a body mass index larger than 35;
- Subjects with a medical or physical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would preclude safe subject participation in the study.
Meniscal Allograft Transplantation Exclusion Criteria:
- Contraindications (per the FAST-FIX FLEX IFU) or hypersensitivity to the use of the FAST-FIX FLEX implant material. Where material sensitivity is suspected, appropriate tests should be made and sensitivity ruled out prior to implantation;
- Enrolled in the treatment period of another clinical trial within thirty (30) days of operative visit, or during the study;
- Women who are pregnant or nursing;
- Any subject that meets the definition of a Vulnerable Subject per ISO 14155 Section 3.55 (except for subjects aged sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age with consent from their legally authorized representative);
- Subjects with a history of poor compliance with medical treatment, physical therapy (PT)/rehabilitation, or clinical study participation;
- Patients with concomitant ligament injuries that do not require surgical repair (i.e. ACL with Grade 3 lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury);
- Performance of a significant concomitant procedure (excluding ACL reconstruction or repair, lateral extra-articular tenodesis, anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction) intended as a therapeutic intervention on the study knee;
- History of ipsilateral knee surgery, septic joint, or fracture (excluding MAT indication);
- Pathological conditions in the soft tissue that would prevent secure fixation of the device;
- Physical conditions which would eliminate, or tend to eliminate, adequate anchor support or retard healing;
- The presence of infection;
- Conditions which would limit the patient's ability or willingness to restrict activities or follow directions during the healing period;
- Malalignment: genu varus and genu valgus angles greater than 5° as evaluated by the patient's physician as per their standard of care;
- Patients who have an Ahlback grade greater than II;
- Patients with a body mass index larger than 35;
- Subjects with a medical or physical condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would preclude safe subject participation in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
5 sites in 4 countries.
5 sites in 4 countries
United States2 sites
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60612
Hospital for Special Surgery
New York, New York, 10021
United Kingdom1 site
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG
About this study
Official title: A Prospective, Multi-center Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Performance of the FAST-FIX FLEX System for Meniscal Repairs (MR) and Meniscal Allograft Transplantations (MAT)
This study is a post-market follow-up study (PMCF). The data collected will serve the purpose of confirming the safety and performance of the FAST-FIX FLEX device, used according to the indicated for use (IFU) for meniscal repair and meniscal transplantations. Data will be collected on patients prior to surgery, at surgery and for 12 months after surgery.
Read the detailed description
This PMCF study is to satisfy the post-market surveillance obligations to the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745). The data collected will serve the purpose of confirming the safety and performance of the FAST-FIX FLEX device, used according to the indicated for use (IFU) for meniscal repair and meniscal transplantations. Data will be collected on patients prior to surgery, at surgery and for 12 months after surgery.
The objectives of the study are to assess the clinical success rate of both clinical indications (meniscal repair and meniscal allograft transplantations) and the performance and safety of the FAST-FIX FLEX meniscal repair system.
The sample size for this study is precision-based, and not based on statistical power considerations, thus no formal statistical hypothesis is formulated.
The primary endpoint for the study upon which sample size is determined is meniscal repair success rate in the study device at 12 months.
Additionally, secondary endpoints in this study assess success rate, meniscus healing and clinical performance of Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) for meniscal repair and meniscal allograft transplantations.
- Conditions
- Meniscus Tear
- Being tested
- FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair System
- Keywords
- FAST-FIX FLEX, meniscal, meniscus, knee repair, meniscal allograft transplant, all-inside meniscal repair, FASTFIX
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair SystemDevice
Standard of care surgery in which the meniscus is repaired using FAST-FIX FLEX device.
FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair SystemDevice
Standard of care surgery in which the FASTFIX FLEX device is used during the meniscal allograft transplantation procedure.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Meniscal Tear | Subject requires a meniscus repair concerning the red-red or red-white zones for acute or chronic 1-, 2- or 3-segment lesions, with or without associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Receives: Device: FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair System | |
| Meniscal Insufficiency | Subject requires a MAT for symptomatic meniscal insufficiency (load related pain and swelling in the compartment undergoing meniscectomy) for which conservative treatment has failed, with or without cartilage repair or restoration (including ACL reconstruction or repair). Receives: Device: FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair System |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Reoperations at 12 Months
Count of participants with reoperations due to meniscal repair failure at 12 months postoperative. Failure was defined as revision surgery at the primary site of the tear.
Measured: 12 months
Secondary outcomes (8)
Reoperations at 6 Months
Count of participants with reoperations due to meniscal repair failure at 6 months postoperative. Failure was defined as revision surgery at the primary site of the tear.
Measured: 6 months
Reoperations From Month 6 to Month 12
Count of participants with reoperations due to meniscal repair failure during the period starting from Month 6 postoperatively (227 days after surgery) to Month 12 postoperatively. Failure was defined as a revision of the transplantation and/or removal of the allograft.
Measured: Month 6 to Month 12, approximately 6 months
Meniscal Healing by Meniscal Repair Status Grading
MRI to assess number of participants with structural integrity and meniscal healing at 6 months and 12 months was derived by the meniscal repair status according to one the following categories:
- Grade 0 - Low signal intensity at the site of original tear(s).
- Grade 1 - Irregularly marginated, elevated signal with globular shape, at the site of original tear(s).
- Grade 2 - Linear elevated signal (i.e. confirmed fluid signal) at the site of original tear(s), not extending into the tibial or femoral articular surface.
- Grade 3 - Linear elevated signal (i.e. confirmed fluid signal) at the site of original tear(s), extending into the tibial or femoral articular surface, suggestive of a re-tear.
- UA - Unable to Assess
- NR - Not Required
Measured: 6 months and 12 months
Meniscal Healing by Meniscal Transplant Status Grading
MRI to assess number of participants with structural integrity and meniscal healing at 6 months and 12 months for meniscal transplant status was derived from relative percentage of extrusion (RPE) recorded on the coronal plane and sagittal plane using the following categories:
- Grade 0 - RPE < 50% on both sagittal and coronal planes, i.e. RPE (Radial) < 50% AND [RPE (Anterior) < 50% AND RPE (Posterior) < 50%].
- Grade 1 - RPE ≥ 50% on only one plane, i.e. RPE (Radial) ≥ 50% OR [RPE (Anterior) ≥ 50% OR RPE (Posterior) ≥ 50%].
- Grade 2 - RPE ≥ 50% on both sagittal and coronal planes, i.e. RPE (Radial) ≥ 50% AND [RPE (Anterior) ≥ 50% OR RPE (Posterior) ≥ 50%].
- NR - Not Required
Measured: 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Score
The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective score was developed to detect improvement or deterioration in symptoms, function, and sports activities due to knee impairment, including patients with meniscal injuries. Possible scores range from 0-100, where 100 indicated the highest level of function and lowest level of symptoms (i.e., better outcome), and 0 indicated the lowest level of function or highest level of symptoms (i.e., worse outcome).
Measured: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): Lysholm Score
The Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale measures the participant's symptoms and functioning of daily activities by assessing 8 items: limping, using cane or crutches, locking sensation in the knee, giving way sensation from the knee, pain, swelling, climbing stairs, and squatting. The scores are on a scale from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating fewer symptoms and a higher level of functioning (i.e., a better outcome).
Measured: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L): Visal Analogue Scale (VAS) Score
The EQ-5D-5L is composed of the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and the EQ Visual Analogue scale (EQ VAS). The EQ VAS score is on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 indicating 'the worst health you can imagine' and 100 indicating 'the best health you can imagine' (i.e., a higher score is a better outcome).
Measured: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L): Health Score
The EQ-5D-5L is composed of the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and the EQ Visual Analogue scale (EQ VAS). The descriptive system comprises 5 dimensions (mobility, self care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) to create a combined Health Score. The combined Health Score is on a scale of 0 to 1 with a higher score indicating a better outcome.
Measured: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 May 2021
- Study start20 Jan 2022
- Primary completion26 Nov 2024
- Study completion26 Nov 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Meniscus TearStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 63 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Smith & Nephew, Inc.
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04903106
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FAST-FIX FLEX.2020.09
- Acronym
- FAST-FIX FLEX
- Status last verified
- Dec 2024
- First submitted
- 19 May 2021
- Last updated
- 18 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Prospective, Multi-center Clinical Study to Evaluate the Safety and Performance of the FAST-FIX FLEX System for Meniscal Repairs (MR) and Meniscal Allograft Transplantations (MAT)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04903106
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FAST-FIX FLEX / FAST-FIX FLEX.2020.09
- Conditions
- Meniscus Tear
- Keywords
- FAST-FIX FLEX, meniscal, meniscus, knee repair, meniscal allograft transplant, all-inside meniscal repair, FASTFIX
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 63 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Smith & Nephew, Inc.Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 20 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 26 Nov 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 May 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 18 Mar 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study is a post-market follow-up study (PMCF). The data collected will serve the purpose of confirming the safety and performance of the FAST-FIX FLEX device, used according to the indicated for use (IFU) for meniscal repair and meniscal transplantations. Data will be collected on patients prior to surgery, at surgery and for 12 months after surgery.
Detailed description
This PMCF study is to satisfy the post-market surveillance obligations to the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR 2017/745). The data collected will serve the purpose of confirming the safety and performance of the FAST-FIX FLEX device, used according to the indicated for use (IFU) for meniscal repair and meniscal transplantations. Data will be collected on patients prior to surgery, at surgery and for 12 months after surgery.
The objectives of the study are to assess the clinical success rate of both clinical indications (meniscal repair and meniscal allograft transplantations) and the performance and safety of the FAST-FIX FLEX meniscal repair system.
The sample size for this study is precision-based, and not based on statistical power considerations, thus no formal statistical hypothesis is formulated.
The primary endpoint for the study upon which sample size is determined is meniscal repair success rate in the study device at 12 months.
Additionally, secondary endpoints in this study assess success rate, meniscus healing and clinical performance of Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) for meniscal repair and meniscal allograft transplantations.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Meniscal Tear | – | Device: FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair SystemSubject requires a meniscus repair concerning the red-red or red-white zones for acute or chronic 1-, 2- or 3-segment lesions, with or without associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. |
| Meniscal Insufficiency | – | Device: FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair SystemSubject requires a MAT for symptomatic meniscal insufficiency (load related pain and swelling in the compartment undergoing meniscectomy) for which conservative treatment has failed, with or without cartilage repair or restoration (including ACL reconstruction or repair). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Patients who require a meniscal repair or meniscal allograft transplantation.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair SystemStandard of care surgery in which the meniscus is repaired using FAST-FIX FLEX device. | Device | Meniscal Tear |
| FAST-FIX FLEX Meniscal Repair SystemStandard of care surgery in which the FASTFIX FLEX device is used during the meniscal allograft transplantation procedure. | Device | Meniscal Insufficiency |
Primary outcome
Reoperations at 12 Months
Time frame: 12 months
Count of participants with reoperations due to meniscal repair failure at 12 months postoperative. Failure was defined as revision surgery at the primary site of the tear.
8 secondary outcomes
Reoperations at 6 Months
Time frame: 6 months
Reoperations From Month 6 to Month 12
Time frame: Month 6 to Month 12, approximately 6 months
Meniscal Healing by Meniscal Repair Status Grading
Time frame: 6 months and 12 months
Meniscal Healing by Meniscal Transplant Status Grading
Time frame: 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Score
Time frame: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): Lysholm Score
Time frame: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L): Visal Analogue Scale (VAS) Score
Time frame: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Patient Reported Outcome (PRO): EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L): Health Score
Time frame: Pre-operatively, 6 months and 12 months
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Mar 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
5 sites in 4 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Meniscus Tear, run by Smith & Nephew, Inc. at 5 sites in 4 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 5 sites in United States, Australia, France, United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 18 Mar 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Reoperations at 12 Months (time frame: 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Mar 2026.