The role of biomaterials in the treatment of meniscal tears

Abstract

Extensive investigations over the recent decades have established the anatomical, biomechanical and functional importance of the meniscus in the knee joint. As a functioning part of the joint, it serves to prevent the deterioration of articular cartilage and subsequent osteoarthritis. To this end, meniscus repair and regeneration is of particular interest from the biomaterial, bioengineering and orthopaedic research community. Even though meniscal research is previously of a considerable volume, the research community with evolving material science, biology and medical advances are all pushing toward emerging novel solutions and approaches to the successful treatment of meniscal difficulties. This review presents a tactical evaluation of the latest biomaterials, experiments to simulate meniscal tears and the state-of-the-art materials and strategies currently used to treat tears.

Meniscus Repair and Regeneration

“…This matrix should be able to securely house the cells to ensure that they stay in their desired and localized area when implanted into the joint. The most commonly used natural materials are type I and type II collagen-based scaffolds 160 . There are also many synthetic materials being designed such as polyglycolic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, polycaprolactone (PCL) and other composite mixtures 160,161 .…”

“…The most commonly used natural materials are type I and type II collagen-based scaffolds 160 . There are also many synthetic materials being designed such as polyglycolic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, polycaprolactone (PCL) and other composite mixtures 160,161 . Thus, an ideal meniscal biomaterial must promote anabolic activity; namely endogenous tissue repair and regeneration through a biomimetic scaffold that allows for cellular attachment and growth to promote ideal tissue-scaffold integration, while resisting terminal differentiation and hypertrophy.…”

Silk fibroin hydrogel adhesive enables sealed-tight reconstruction of meniscus tears

“…In 1995, cyanoacrylate (the main component of 502 glue) based adhesive was first used for the repair of meniscal tears. Though in vitro experiments showed good performance, this glue cannot be used for meniscal repair in vivo due to its cytotoxicity and severe inflammatory reactions 53 . Then, fibrin, a natural polymer material, was used in the repair of meniscal tears.…”

Meniscal Tear Management Associated with ACL Reconstruction

“…Initially, the inside-out technique has been considered the gold standard for meniscal repair [74], till outside-in and all-inside techniques were developed. Currently, the newer generation meniscal repair devices exhibit biomechanical properties similar to inside-out sutures [74][75][76].…”