Prediction of specific structural damage to the knee joint using qualitative isokinetic analysis.

BACKGROUND: An isokinetic moment curve (IMC) pattern-damaged structure prediction model may be of considerable value in assisting the diagnosis of knee injuries in clinical scenarios. This study aimed to explore the association between irregular IMC patterns and specific structural damages in the knee, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, meniscus (MS) injury, and patellofemoral joint (PFJ) lesions, and to develop an IMC pattern-damaged structure prediction model. METHODS: A total of 94 subjects were enrolled in this study and underwent isokinetic testing of the knee joint (5 consecutive flexion-extension movements within the range of motion of 90°-10°, 60°/s). Qualitative analysis of the IMCs for all subjects was completed by two blinded examiners. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to investigate whether a specific abnormal curve pattern was associated with specific knee structural injuries and to test the predictive effectiveness of IMC patterns for specific structural damage in the knee. RESULTS: The results of the multinomial logistic regression revealed a significant association between the irregular IMC patterns of the knee extensors and specific structural damages ("Valley" - ACL, PFJ, and ACL + MS, "Drop" - ACL, and ACL + MS, "Shaking" - ACL, MS, PFJ, and ACL + MS). The accuracy and Macro-averaged F1 score of the predicting model were 56.1% and 0.426, respectively. CONCLUSION: The associations between irregular IMC patterns and specific knee structural injuries were identified. However, the accuracy and Macro-averaged F1 score of the established predictive model indicated its relatively low predictive efficacy. For the development of a more accurate predictive model, it may be essential to incorporate angle-specific and/or speed-specific analyses of qualitative and quantitative data in isokinetic testing. Furthermore, the utilization of artificial intelligence image recognition technology may prove beneficial for analyzing large datasets in the future.

Effect of loading direction and anatomical location on the ultimate tensile stress, fracture toughness, and failure patterns of knee meniscus.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of the knee menisci is a common injury that can have implications for other conditions, such as osteoarthritis. The fracture toughness of soft tissue (Jc) is a mechanical property that characterizes its resistance to tear extension. To date, Jc of the meniscus has not been quantified. METHODS: Cyclic tensile tests were conducted on meniscus samples to determine Jc and explore its characteristics. Initially, the study investigated the impact of an initial notch on the ultimate tensile stress. This allowed for an understanding of how the presence of a notch affects its structural integrity. Subsequently, Jc was measured in both the radial and circumferential directions to assess its loading direction dependency. Furthermore, the study assessed the effect of anatomical location by comparing samples collected from the femoral and tibial layers. RESULTS: Defect tolerance of the meniscus is influenced by the loading direction. In the circumferential direction, the presence of an initial notch did not affect the ultimate stress, and no crack expansion was observed. In radial samples with a notch length of 40% or more of the total width, crack propagation occurred, leading to a decrease in the ultimate stress (p< 0.01). Additionally, Jc was found to be higher in the femoral layer compared to the tibial layer (p= 0.017). CONCLUSION: The study also examined the failure patterns of the meniscus to enhance our understanding of its pathology. These insights contribute to a better comprehension of meniscus injuries and can aid in the development of more effective treatment strategies.

The Effect of Lower Limb Alignment on Tibiofemoral Joint Contact Biomechanics after Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Repair: A Finite-Element Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine how variations in lower limb alignment affect tibiofemoral joint contact biomechanics in the setting of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) and associated root repair. METHODS: A finite-element model of an intact knee joint was developed. Limb alignments ranging from 4° valgus to 8° varus were simulated under a 1,000 N compression load applied to the femoral head. For the intact, MMPRT, and root repair conditions, the peak contact pressure (PCP), total contact area, mean and maximum local contact pressure (LCP) elevation, and total area of LCP elevation of the medial tibiofemoral compartment were quantified. RESULTS: The PCP and total contact area of the medial compartment in the intact knee increased from 2.43 MPa and 361 mm 2 at 4° valgus to 9.09 MPa and 508 mm 2 at 8° of varus. Compared with the intact state, in the MMPRT condition, medial compartment PCP was greater and the total contact area smaller for all alignment conditions. Root repair roughly restored PCPs in the medial compartment; however, this ability was compromised in knees with increasing varus alignment. Specifically, elevations in PCP relative to the intact state increased with increasing varus, as did the total contact area with LCP elevation. After root repair, medial compartment PCP remained elevated above the intact state at all degrees tested, ranging from 0.05 MPa at 4° valgus to 0.27 MPa at 8° of varus, with overall PCP values increasing from 2.48 to 9.09 MPa. For varus alignment greater than 4°, root repair failed to reduce the total contact area with LCP elevation relative to the MMPRT state. DISCUSSION: Greater PCPs and areas of LCP elevation in varus knees may reduce the clinical effectiveness of root repair in delaying or preventing the development of tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.

Alteration of knee joint moment after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction conditions in subjects with and without meniscal pathology.

BACKGROUND: The effects of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on postoperative gait biomechanics remain controversial, and the influence of meniscus pathology on pre- and post-ACL reconstruction biomechanical changes has not yet been studied. Here, we aimed to clarify the difference in knee joint moment between pre- and post-ACL reconstruction conditions in subjects with and without meniscal pathology. METHODS: Twenty-four subjects with unilateral ACL reconstruction injuries participated in this study. A total of 13 of the subjects had concomitant meniscus injuries. Gait analysis was performed preoperatively and at 11 months postoperatively. Three-dimensional knee joint angles and moments were calculated based on motion-capture data. The total joint moment and contribution of individual moments during the stance phase were assessed. For statistical analysis, we compared pre- and postoperative alterations, and differences were assessed in subjects with and without meniscal pathology. RESULTS: Tibial rotation excursion was lower in subjects with meniscal pathology than in those with intact menisci postoperatively. An significant increase in the contribution of the knee flexion moment and a significant decrease in the contribution of the knee adduction moment postoperatively were observed in subjects with intact menisci. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ACL injury showed different postoperative alterations in joint moments depending on the concomitant meniscal injury.

Knee extension deficit during gait and knee extensor weakness persisting after saucerization and repair of discoid lateral meniscus tears.

BACKGROUND: Physical function and knee kinematics recovery after discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) tear surgery are essential for a better prognosis. However, these alterations remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate changes in physical function and knee kinematics following saucerization and DLM tear repair. METHODS: We enrolled 16 patients who underwent saucerization and DLM tear repair. Postoperative changes in knee kinematics during gait, and physical function, were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The peak flexion angle of the operated limb during weight acceptance was significantly higher than that of the contralateral limb at 3 (operated limb: 34.6 ± 8.9°, contralateral limb: 23.7 ± 8.3°; P < 0.01) and 6 months (operated limb: 32.1 ± 9.7°, contralateral limb: 24.6 ± 8.2°; P = 0.03) postoperatively, but not at 12 months (operated limb: 27.1 ± 7.1°, contralateral limb: 23.1 ± 9.5°; P = 0.22) postoperatively. The knee extensor strength of the operated limb was significantly lower than that of the contralateral limb at 3 (operated limb: 1.00 ± 0.59 Nm/kg, contralateral limb: 1.37 ± 0.59 Nm/kg; P = 0.01), 6 (operated limb: 1.22 ± 0.55 Nm/kg, contralateral limb: 1.48 ± 0.60 Nm/kg; P < 0.01), and 12 months (operated limb: 1.39 ± 0.57 Nm/kg, contralateral limb: 1.55 ± 0.64 Nm/kg; P = 0.04) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Knee extension deficits and extensor weakness persisted at 6 months after saucerization and repair of DLM tears. Postoperative rehabilitation should be focused on knee extension function.

Mechanical symptoms and meniscal tear: a reappraisal.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and summarize literature related to the association between mechanical symptoms (catching and locking of the knee), the presence of meniscal tear, and outcomes after arthroscopic surgery. DESIGN: We searched PubMed and hand-searched reference lists for relevant articles and selected 38 for analysis. RESULTS: Mechanical symptoms appear to have modest sensitivity (ranging 0.32-0.69), specificity (ranging 0.45-0.74) and positive predictive value (ranging 0.75-0.81) for meniscal tear. There is also very little evidence to suggest that those with mechanical symptoms experience better outcomes after arthroscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: Our examination of the literature does not support the hypothesis that mechanical symptoms are related to the presence of meniscal tear or portend better outcomes after arthroscopic surgery.

Meniscal Allograft Transplantation.

Meniscal allograft transplantation provides treatment options for patients with a meniscus-deficient knee with lifestyle-limiting symptoms in the absence of advanced degenerative changes. Meniscal transplantation helps to restore the native biomechanics of the involved knee, which may provide chondroprotective effects and restoring additional knee stability. Improvements in pain, function, and activity level have been seen in appropriately selected patients undergoing transplantation. Although various surgical implantation options exist, the majority focus on reproducing native attachments of the meniscal roots to allow near normal mechanics. Although meniscal transplantation may serve as a salvage procedure for symptomatic patients with a meniscus-deficient knee, it may prevent or delay the necessity of a more invasive arthroplasty procedure.

Mid-term evaluation of clinical and functional outcomes after arthroscopic medial longitudinal and bucket-handle meniscus repair.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and functional outcomes following the arthroscopic medial meniscal repair. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients (42 males, 8 females; mean age: 32.9±7.6 years; range, 17 to 48 years) who underwent arthroscopic repair for longitudinal and bucket-handle medial meniscal tears between March 2005 and October 2011 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups as those having a longitudinal tear (patient group, n=31) and having a bucket-handle tear (control group, n=19). Preoperative and final follow-up functional outcomes were evaluated using the Lysholm Knee Score (LKS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) score, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 61.7±22.8 (range, 36 to 110) months. The mean preoperative LKS, IKDC score, TAS, and KOOS scores were significantly improved at the final postoperative follow-up (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in functional outcome scores between longitudinal and bucket-handle repairs (p>0.05), and isolated repairs and concomitant meniscal repair and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic meniscal repair provides similar mid-term functional and clinical outcomes for longitudinal and bucket-handle medial meniscal tears. Concomitant meniscal repair does not seem to affect meniscal healing.

Diagnosis and Management of Articular Cartilage and Meniscus Pathology in the Posterior Cruciate Ligament-Injured Knee.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries commonly occur in association with participation in sporting or recreational activities or due to a direct trauma. Cartilage and meniscal lesions are prevalent in PCL-injured knees with increasing likelihood and severity based on extent and duration of trauma to the knee. As such, comprehensive diagnostics should be performed to ascertain all related pathology, and patients should be thoroughly educated regarding treatment options, likely sequelae including posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and associated outcomes. Treatments should address the joint as an organ, ensuring stability, alignment, and functional tissue restoration are optimized by the most efficient and effective means possible. Compliance with patient- and procedure-specific postoperative management protocols is critical for optimizing successful outcomes for these complex cases. The objectives of this review article are to highlight the likelihood and importance of osteochondral and meniscal pathology in the PCL-injured knee, and to provide the best current evidence regarding comprehensive evaluation and management for PCL-injured knees with cartilage and/or meniscal comorbidities.

Intra-substance meniscal changes and their clinical significance: a meta-analysis.

The degeneration of radial tie fibres of the central meniscal layer, and thinning of its lamellar layer results in increased intensity signals on magnetic resonance imaging, making it difficult to differentiate from true meniscal tear. This study aimed to assess the rate of encountered MRI grades 1 and 2 intrasubstance meniscal changes, and to set guidelines to report these changes based on predicted clinical outcome. A systematic review approach was employed using search engines, libraries, and databases (Google Scholar, ERIC, PubMed, and Medline) to search for scholarly sources on meniscal lesions and their significance in MRI published between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2019. It retrieved 2750 abstracts, out of which 2738 were excluded and 13 studies meeting inclusion criteria were meta-analysed. It found an association between intrasubstances meniscal changes and outcomes. It resulted that intrasubstance meniscal changes were preservable through the protective functioning of the meniscus. Other than weight gain, no other significant risk factor of developing true meniscal tears later in life was found. It is important to examine intrasubstance meniscal change when patients suffer from mechanical meniscal symptoms especially in old age.

Age, activity level and meniscus injury, but not tear location, tibial slope or anterolateral ligament injury predict coping with anterior cruciate ligament injury.

INTRODUCTION: Early recognition of potential predictors on the success of conservative treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is important, as appropriate treatment can be applied to each individual patient. The goal of this study is to assess the patient demographic and radiological parameters that predict coping with ACL injuries. METHODS: All patients presenting with a complete ACL injury between 2014 and 2018 at our clinic were included. The role of patient demographics (age, gender, activity level, meniscus injury and time from injury to clinic), and ACL tear location, bone bruises, tibial slope, and anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury were assessed on the success of conservative treatment using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (32%) were copers and 141 (68%) were non-copers. Univariate analysis showed that copers were significantly older (40 vs. 27 years, P < 0.001), had lower preinjury activity level (Tegner 5.7 vs. 6.5, P < 0.001) and less often lateral meniscus tears (16% vs. 5%, P = 0.019) but not medial meniscus tears (17% vs. 14%, P = 0.609) than non-copers. Multivariate analysis revealed that increasing age (P < 0.001), Tegner level ≤ 6 (P = 0.003) and no meniscus injury (P = 0.045) were independent predictors of coping with ACL deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, participation in lower activity sports levels and absence of meniscus injury were predictive of coping with ACL deficiency, whereas there was no such role for tear location, tibial slope, lateral bone bruise presence, ALL injury or gender. These findings might help to identify potential copers and guide surgeons early in the optimal treatment for patients with ACL injury.

Knee laxity, lateral meniscus tear and distal femur morphology influence pivot shift test grade in ACL injury patients.

PURPOSE: Although several factors have been considered to be associated with pivot shift test grade in ACL injured patients, a conclusion regarding which factors contribute to the pivot shift test grade has not been reached. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with preoperative pivot shift test grade. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-six consecutive patients who underwent ACL reconstruction in our hospital were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of preoperative pivot shift test grade (Mild: grade 0-3, Severe: grade 4-6). First, 13 independent variables (age, gender, period from injury to surgery, hyperextension, KT measurement, contralateral side pivot shift test grade, medial and lateral tibial slope, lateral condyle length, lateral condyle height, distal femoral condyle offset, medial and lateral meniscus tear) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Chi-squared test. Binary Logistic regression was then performed based on the results of univariate analyses (independent variables of p < 0.2 were included). RESULTS: Hyperextension, lateral meniscus tear, contralateral side pivot shift test grade, distal femoral condyle offset and KT measurement were identified as risk factors for preoperative pivot shift grade via logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The current study revealed that hyperextension, lateral meniscus tear, contralateral side pivot shift test grade, distal femoral condyle offset and anterior instability were associated with preoperative pivot shift grade. Patients with above factors that cannot be modified during surgery may need special consideration when ACL reconstruction is performed, as greater preoperative pivot shift has been proven to be a risk factor for residual pivot shift after ACL reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Different effects of the lateral meniscus complete radial tear on the load distribution and transmission functions depending on the tear site.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of the lateral meniscus (LM) complete radial tear at different tear sites on the load distribution and transmission functions. METHODS: A compressive load of 300 N was applied to the intact porcine knees (n = 30) at 15°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of flexion. The LM complete radial tears were created at the middle portion (group M), the posterior portion (group P), or the posterior root (group R) (n = 10, each group), and the same loading procedure was followed. Finally, the recorded three-dimensional paths were reproduced on the LM-removed knees. The peak contact pressure (contact area) in the lateral compartment and the calculated in situ force of the LM under the principle of superposition were compared among the four groups (intact, group M, group P, and group R). RESULTS: At all the flexion angles, the peak contact pressure (contact area) was significantly higher (lower) after creating the LM complete radial tear as compared to that in the intact state (p < 0.01). At 120° of flexion, group R represented the highest peak contact pressure (lowest contact area), followed by group P and group M (p < 0.05). The results of the in situ force carried by the LM were similar to those of the tibiofemoral contact mechanics. CONCLUSION: The detrimental effect of the LM complete radial tear on the load distribution and transmission functions was greatest in the posterior root tear, followed by the posterior portion tear and the middle portion tear in the deep-flexed position. Complete radial tars of the meniscus, especially at the posterior root, should be repaired to restore the biomechanical function.

Blood in the joint: effects of hemarthrosis on meniscus health and repair techniques.

Injury to the meniscus is common and frequently leads to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Many times meniscus injuries occur coincident with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and lead to a bloody joint effusion. Hemarthrosis, or bleeding into the joint, has been implicated in degeneration of joint tissues. The goal of this review paper is to understand the pathophysiology of blood-induced joint damage, the possible effects of blood on meniscus tissue, and the implications for current meniscus repair techniques that involve the introduction of blood-derived products into the joint. In this review, we illustrate the similarities in the pathophysiology of joint damage due to hemophilic arthropathy (HA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Although numerous studies have revealed the harmful effects of blood on cartilage and synovium, there is currently a gap in knowledge regarding the effects of hemarthrosis on meniscus tissue homeostasis, healing, and the development of PTOA following meniscus injury. Given that many meniscus repair techniques utilize blood-derived and marrow-derived products, it is essential to understand the effects of these factors on meniscus tissue and the whole joint organ to develop improved strategies to promote meniscus tissue repair and prevent PTOA development.

Remodified Mason-Allen suture technique concomitant with high tibial osteotomy for medial meniscus posterior root tears improved the healing of the repaired root and suppressed osteoarthritis progression.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of the remodified Mason-Allen suture technique concomitant with high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for medial meniscal posterior root tears (MMPRTs). The hypothesis was that this procedure would improve clinical results, prevent progression of knee osteoarthritis and increase the healing rate of the repaired root. METHODS: Total 17 patients of mean 51.5 ± 4.4 years who were underwent this combined procedure for MMPRT completed this study. Lysholm and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores, Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade reflecting osteoarthritis progression were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Medial meniscus extrusion (MME) was measured on magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively and at mean 26.1 ± 2.3 months postoperatively. Second-look arthroscopy was performed at mean 25.1 ± 5.3 months postoperatively. The healing status of the repaired root was classified as complete, partial and failed healing. The Outerbridge (OB) grade of the medial femoral condyle (MFC) was compared between index surgery and second-look arthroscopy. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 66.4 ± 6.5 months. Mean Lysholm and HSS mean scores improved significantly from preoperatively to the last follow-up: Lysholm: 56.9 ± 5.4 to 83.5 ± 6.0 (P < 0.001); HSS: 56.1 ± 6.0 to 81.7 ± 7.7 (P < 0.001). The mean mechanical alignment of the lower extremity was corrected from varus to the neutral range at the last follow-up. The preoperative KL grade was not significantly different from the KL grade at the last follow-up (P = 0.071). On MRI, mean MME increased from 3.0 ± 0.7 mm to 3.1 ± 0.7 mm (P = 0.046). Second-look arthroscopy showed 64.7% complete, 29.4% partial and 5.9% failed healing of the repaired root. The initial OB grade of the MFC showed no progression (P = 0.103). CONCLUSIONS: The remodified Mason-Allen suture technique concomitant with HTO for MMPRTs significantly improved clinical outcomes and suppressed OA progression at 66.4 months. However, this procedure produced limited complete healing of the repaired roots in 64.7% of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Updates and Advances in the Management of Lateral Meniscal Radial Tears: A Critical Analysis Review.

Because of their increased mobility, lack of resistance to hoop stresses, and decreased blood supply, radial tears of the lateral meniscus are more troublesome to heal than vertical longitudinal tears. Given the success of meniscal root repairs, radial tears of the lateral meniscal body should be given strong consideration for repair because of a more reproducible ability to heal such lesions in young, active patients. Technique options that should be considered for the less common anterior radial tears of the lateral meniscus include outside-in repair, self-capturing suture-passing devices, and orthobiologic treatments to stimulate healing. Although a variety of suture techniques, including the double horizontal mattress and horizontal butterfly patterns, have demonstrated improvements in patient outcomes, evidence is still limited with regard to the ideal suture pattern for radial tears.

Clinical Significance of Combined Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Positions and MRI Examination in Evaluating Genu Varus.

OBJECTIVE: To siscuss the clinical significance of the early diagnosis of knee varus and knee osteoarthritis with the combination of negative position and non-negative position and radiography. METHODS: One hundred and eighty patients whose femorotibial angles <182° (genu varus positive) measured by X-ray at the weight-bearing position and femorotibial angles ≥182° (genu varus negative) measured by X-ray at the non-weight-bearing position were selected as the sample group from those patients who received knee joint Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination from July 2015 to July 2017. One hundred and eighty patients whose femorotibial angles ≥182° (genu varus negative) measured at both the weight-bearing position and the non-weight-bearing position were selected as the control group. Femorotibial angles of both groups were respectively measured, to respectively compare and analyze the effect of non-weight-bearing false-negative genu varus on the occurrence and severity of injury of medial meniscus and femorotibial articular cartilage. The two groups of patients had no previous history of knee surgery, and no lower limb fracture, inflammation, tumor, metabolic bone disease, or congenital disease. RESULTS: The weight-bearing tibiofemoral angles of the non-weight-bearing false-negative genu varus group and the negative genu varus group (180.998° ± 0.589°) were lower than the non-weight-bearing tibiofemoral angles (182.501° ± 0.290°), and they were positively correlated (t = -15.048, P < 0.01). The non-weight-bearing knee varus medial meniscus incidence of false- negative group. Medial meniscus injury that occurred in the sample group were 86.7% (156/180) in the anterior horn, 91.7% (165/180) in the body, 88.3% (159/180) in the posterior horn. Medial meniscus injury that occurred in the control group were 46.7% (84 /180) in the anterior horn, 40.6.3% (73/180) in the body, 43.3% (78/180) in the posterior horn. The incidence of degenerative groups, the differences were statistically significant. The incidence and severity of injury were as follows: medial meniscus anterior horn (χ2 = 41.966, P = 0.000), body (χ2 = 104.94, P = 0.000), posterior horn (χ2 = 81.025, P = 0.000). The incidence and severity of medial meniscus injury in the non-weight-bearing knee varus false negative group was higher than in the control group. The non-weight-bearing knee varus false-negative group medial tibiofemoral articular cartilage degeneration rate was 95.0% (171/180); in the control group, medial tibiofemoral articular cartilage degeneration was 65.1% (117/180). Two medial tibiofemoral articular cartilage degeneration incidence were statistically significant. The incidence and severity of injury were as follows: medial tibiofemoral articular cartilage (χ2 = 50.625, P = 0.000). The incidence and severity of medial tibiofemoral articular cartilage injury in the non-weight-bearing knee varus false negative group was higher than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The combined weight-bearing position and non-weight-bearing position imaging examination for diagnosing the non-weight-bearing false-negative genu varus patients at an early date is of significant importance to the early diagnosis and treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Isolated Meniscus Tears in Adolescent Patients Treated with Platelet-Rich Plasma Intra-articular Injections: 3-Month Clinical Outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Meniscus repair is a challenge for a practitioner, as an injured meniscus can lead to osteoarthritic joint changes with a greatly disabling outcome. Platelet-rich plasma has been regarded as a promising therapy to help induce healing. The purpose of the study is to clinically assess the effectiveness of PRP treatment in adolescents with meniscal lesions. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 30 patients with meniscal tears, aged 12 to 17 years, who had documented MRI meniscal lesion and persistent knee pain. In order to evaluate the outcome, the Lysholm knee scoring scale and numerical rating scale were used before injection and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 13.93 years, 70% girls and 30% boys. The most affected was the medial meniscus. The mean value before injection on the numerical rating scale (NRS) of pain was 7.73, after the treatment being of 2.0. After treatment, 76.7% of the patients had "excellent" and "good" outcomes, while before injection, just 3% of the patients had a "good" score. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-rich plasma treatment can be effective in improving the clinical outcomes of adolescent patients with meniscus tears, for whom conservative management and physical therapy have failed to achieve pain relief.

Transection of the medial meniscus anterior horn results in cartilage degeneration and meniscus remodeling in a large animal model.

The meniscus plays a central load-bearing role in the knee joint. Unfortunately, meniscus injury is common and can lead to joint degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA). In small animal models, progressive degenerative changes occur with the unloading of the meniscus via destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). However, few large animal models of DMM exist and the joint-wide initiation of the disease has not yet been defined in these models. Thus, the goal of this study is to develop and validate a large animal model of surgically induced DMM and to use multimodal (mechanical, histological, and magnetic resonance imaging) and multiscale (joint to tissue level) quantitative measures to evaluate degeneration in both the meniscus and cartilage. DMM was achieved using an arthroscopic approach in 13 Yucatan minipigs. One month after DMM, joint contact area decreased and peak pressure increased, indicating altered load transmission as a result of meniscus destabilization. By 3 months, the joint had adapted to the injury and load transmission patterns were restored to baseline, likely due to the formation and maturation of a fibrovascular scar at the anterior aspect of the meniscus. Despite this, we found a decrease in the indentation modulus of the tibial cartilage and an increase in cartilage histopathology scores at 1 month compared to sham-operated animals; these deleterious changes persisted through 3 months. Over this same time course, meniscus remodeling was evident through decreased proteoglycan staining in DMM compared to sham menisci at both 1 and 3 months. These findings support that arthroscopic DMM results in joint degeneration in the Yucatan minipig and provide a new large animal testbed in which to evaluate therapeutics and interventions to treat post-traumatic OA that originates from a meniscal injury.

Medial meniscus posterior root repair restores the intra-articular volume of the medial meniscus by decreasing posteromedial extrusion at knee flexion.

PURPOSE: Transtibial repair of a medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) can improve clinical outcomes, although meniscal extrusion remains. However, few studies have investigated the volume of meniscal extrusion. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transtibial repair in reducing the volume using three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging, at 10° and 90° knee flexion. METHODS: Twenty patients with MMPRTs and 16 volunteers with normal knees participated. The 3D models of meniscus were constructed using SYNAPSE VINCENT®. The meniscal extrusion and its volume were measured at 10° and 90° knee flexion. Differences between the pre- and postoperative examinations were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The postoperative parameters were compared to those in patients with normal knees. RESULTS: There were no significant pre- and postoperative differences in any parameter at 10° knee flexion. At 90° knee flexion, the posterior extrusion and its meniscal volume were decreased significantly after transtibial repair (p < 0.05), even though these parameters were larger than in the normal knees. On the other hand, intra-articular meniscal volume calculated by the extrusion volume was increased to the level of the normal knee. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that transtibial repairs improved the intra-articular/intra-tibial surface volume of the medial meniscus by reducing the posteromedial extrusion during knee flexion. This 3D analysis is clinically relevant in evaluating that, while transtibial root repair has a limited ability to reduce meniscal extrusion, it can restore the functional volume of the medial meniscus which contributes to the shock absorber postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.