Meniscus Transplant: Is Still a Step Forward for Good Results in Cartilage Lesion Progression and Knee Pain?

Abstract

Meniscus injuries are the most common traumatic conditions of the knee. If until the early 2000s, menisci were considered structures of no major importance in the knee joint, subsequent studies have shown their importance in the biomechanics of the knee. Their role is not only for the natural suspension of the joint, but also for the protection of the cartilage or the achievement of the efficient and uniform circulation of the synovial fluid. Therefore, disruption of this joint balance can lead, in the absence of a well-conducted treatment, to premature knee wear. Most of the time, these meniscal tears are accompanied by associated lessions, ligaments or more severely cartilaginous lessions, creating a real challenge for the physician, specially for young pacients. There are many conservative treatments of the damaged meniscus, imagined precisely in the idea of preserving the menisci as much as possible. However, this is not always possible, especially due to the type of traumatic injury.