Open AccessMeniscal substitution, a developing and long‐awaited demand
Author(s) -
Winkler Philipp W.,
Rothrauff Benjamin B.,
Buerba Rafael A.,
Shah Neha,
Zaffagnini Stefano,
Alexander Peter,
Musahl Volker
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of experimental orthopaedics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2197-1153
DOI - 10.1186/s40634-020-00270-6
Subject(s) - meniscus , medicine , radiological weapon , resection , orthopedic surgery , substitution (logic) , clinical practice , surgery , physical therapy , computer science , physics , incidence (geometry) , optics , programming language
The menisci represent indispensable intraarticular components of a well‐functioning knee joint. Sports activities, traumatic incidents, or simply degenerative conditions can cause meniscal injuries, which often require surgical intervention. Efforts in biomechanical and clinical research have led to the recommendation of a meniscus‐preserving rather than a meniscus‐resecting treatment approach. Nevertheless, partial or even total meniscal resection is sometimes inevitable. In such circumstances, techniques of meniscal substitution are required. Autologous, allogenic, and artificial meniscal substitutes are available which have evolved in recent years. Basic anatomical and biomechanical knowledge, clinical application, radiological and clinical outcomes as well as future perspectives of meniscal substitutes are presented in this article. A comprehensive knowledge of the different approaches to meniscal substitution is required in order to integrate these evolving techniques in daily clinical practice to prevent the devastating effects of lost meniscal tissue.