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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.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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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:

  1. Subject provides written informed consent for study participation using an independent ethical committee (IEC) / institutional review board (IRB) approved consent form;
  2. Subject is between sixteen (16) and seventy (70) years of age, inclusive at the time of screening;
  3. Subject is willing and able to participate in required follow-up visits and is able to complete study activities;
  4. Subject requires a meniscal repair;
  5. Subject is suitable to participate in the study in the opinion of the Investigator;
  6. 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:

  1. Subject provides written informed consent for study participation using an independent ethical committee (IEC) / institutional review board (IRB) approved consent form;
  2. Subject is between sixteen (16) and seventy (70) years of age, inclusive at the time of screening;
  3. Subject is willing and able to participate in required follow-up visits and is able to complete study activities;
  4. Subject requires a meniscal allograft transplantation;
  5. Subject is suitable to participate in the study in the opinion of the Investigator.
  6. 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:

  1. 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;
  2. Enrolled in the treatment period of another clinical trial within thirty (30) days of operative visit, or during the study;
  3. Women who are pregnant or nursing;
  4. 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);
  5. Subjects with a history of poor compliance with medical treatment, physical therapy (PT)/rehabilitation, or clinical study participation;
  6. Patients with irreparable meniscal tears (i.e. multiple tears);
  7. Subjects with full thickness cartilage defects greater than 10mm in diameter and/or serious defects;
  8. 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);
  9. 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;
  10. History of ipsilateral knee surgery, septic joint, or fracture;
  11. Pathological conditions in the soft tissue that would prevent secure fixation of the device;
  12. Physical conditions which would eliminate, or tend to eliminate, adequate anchor support or retard healing;
  13. The presence of infection;
  14. Conditions which would limit the patient's ability or willingness to restrict activities or follow directions during the healing period;
  15. Malalignment: genu varus and genu valgus angles greater than 5° as evaluated by the patient's physician as per their standard of care;
  16. Patients who have an Ahlback grade greater than II;
  17. Patients with a body mass index larger than 35;
  18. 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:

  1. 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;
  2. Enrolled in the treatment period of another clinical trial within thirty (30) days of operative visit, or during the study;
  3. Women who are pregnant or nursing;
  4. 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);
  5. Subjects with a history of poor compliance with medical treatment, physical therapy (PT)/rehabilitation, or clinical study participation;
  6. 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);
  7. 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;
  8. History of ipsilateral knee surgery, septic joint, or fracture (excluding MAT indication);
  9. Pathological conditions in the soft tissue that would prevent secure fixation of the device;
  10. Physical conditions which would eliminate, or tend to eliminate, adequate anchor support or retard healing;
  11. The presence of infection;
  12. Conditions which would limit the patient's ability or willingness to restrict activities or follow directions during the healing period;
  13. Malalignment: genu varus and genu valgus angles greater than 5° as evaluated by the patient's physician as per their standard of care;
  14. Patients who have an Ahlback grade greater than II;
  15. Patients with a body mass index larger than 35;
  16. 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

Other trials in United States

Australia1 site
  • Fremantle Hospital

    Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160

Other trials in Australia

France1 site
  • Ambroise Paré Clinic

    Paris, Neuilly-Sur-Seine, 92200

Other trials in France

United Kingdom1 site
  • Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

    Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG

Other trials in United Kingdom

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 groups in NCT04903106
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Meniscal TearSubject 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 InsufficiencySubject 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.

  1. 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)
  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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.

  1. First posted26 May 2021
  2. Study start20 Jan 2022
  3. Primary completion26 Nov 2024
  4. Study completion26 Nov 2024

Resources

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)
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
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

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.

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