Effect of degenerative and radial tears of the meniscus and resultant meniscectomy on the knee joint: a finite element analysis

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the biomechanics on the knee components caused by degenerative and radial meniscal tears and resultant meniscectomy. Methods A detailed finite element model of the knee joint with bones, cartilages, menisci and main ligaments was constructed from a combination of computed tomography and magnetic resonance images. Degenerative and radial tears of both menisci and resultant medial meniscectomy were used and two different kinds of simulations, the vertical and the anterior load, mimicking the static stance and slight flexion simulations, were applied on the model. The compressive and shear stress and meniscus extrusion were evaluated and compared. Results Generally, both degenerative and radial tears lead to increased peak compressive and shear stress of both cartilages and menisci and large meniscus extrusion, and the medial meniscal tear induced larger value of stress and extrusion than the lateral meniscal tear. The peak stress and meniscus extrusion further elevated after the medial meniscus meniscectomy. Distribution of stress was shifted from the intact hemi joint to the injured hemi joint with either medial or lateral meniscal tear. Conclusion Our finite element model provides a realistic three-dimensional knee model to investigate the effects of degenerative and radial meniscal tears and resultant meniscectomy on the stress distribution of the knee. The stress was increased in meniscal tears and increased significantly when meniscectomy was performed. Increased meniscus extrusion may explain the mechanism for higher stress on the components of the knee. The translational potential of this article Meniscal tears are the most common damage associated to the menisci, and meniscectomy is often performed to relieve the pain and instability of the knee. The results of our study indicated increased stress on cartilages and menisci, which may lead to early onset of osteoarthritis. This may guide surgeons to preserve more of the meniscus when performing meniscectomy.

Biomechanical Characteristics of Tibio-Femoral Joint After Partial Medial Meniscectomy Under Different Flexion Angles：A Finite Element Analysis

“…Previous studies have shown that without the shock absorption by the meniscus, increasing the direct contact area between the femoral condyle cartilage and the tibial plateau leads to elevated stress, which can result in early cartilage degradation and early-onset osteoarthritis 6 . Although the characteristics of cartilage stress and meniscus displacement in the present model only re ect the transient response of the knee joint under compression load induction, previous studies have suggested that higher shear stress may cause early proteolytic degradation of the meniscus matrix and the tension of the articular cartilage may reduce the strength 21 .…”

“…In-depth understanding of stress transfer in the articular cavity after APM may help to illuminate the biomechanical causes of OA progression [4][5] . Finite element (FE) simulation can provide intuitive graphical results to explain the biomechanics changes after APM 6 .…”

Identification and Validation of Hub Genes Related to Meniscus Senescence Based on Gene Expression Profiling Analysis

“…Patients undergoing meniscal resection may have di culty regaining previous motion abilities [26,27].…”

An Arthroscopic-Assisted Radial Meniscal Tear Repair Using Reinforced Suture Tape Rebars and Suture Tapes

“…2 This stress is shown to increase with meniscectomy. 1 Therefore, preserving and repairing a damaged meniscus has become the new standard to achieve better long-term outcomes for the patient. 4 Past techniques for radial meniscus tear repair used single, double, or crossed horizontal mattress sutures.…”

“…The functions of the menisci are load distribution, shock absorption, and joint stabilization. 1 Loss of function or injury to the meniscus can result in change in contact area and lead to cartilage degeneration. 2 , 3 Radial tears, which occur perpendicular to the deep edge and extend superficially toward the rim, are considered less common but more complex injuries that result in large meniscal extrusion and increased peak compressive and shear stress in both the menisci and cartilage.…”