[History of meniscus surgery. From excision of joint loose bodies to meniscus suture]

Treatment strategies for meniscal lesions: from past to prospective therapeutics

Menisci play an important role in the biomechanics of knee joint function, including loading transmission, joint lubrication, prevention of soft tissue impingement during motion and joint stability. Meniscal repair presents a challenge due to a lack of vascularization that limits the healing capacity of meniscal tissue. In this review, the authors aimed to untangle the available treatment options for repairing meniscal tears. Various surgical procedures have been developed to treat meniscal tears; however, clinical outcomes are limited. Consequently, numerous researchers have focused on different treatments such as the application of exogenous and/or autologous growth factors, scaffolds including tissue-derived matrix, cell-based therapy and miRNA-210. The authors present current and prospective treatment strategies for meniscal lesions.

The future of meniscus science: international expert consensus

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the main focus areas for research and development for furthering the state of meniscus science in 2021.

Methods

An electronic survey including 10 questions was sent in a blind fashion to the faculty members of the 5^th International Conference on Meniscus Science and Surgery. These faculty served as an expert consensus on the future of research and development areas of meniscus science. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ranking weighted averages were calculated to score survey questions.

Results

Of the 82 faculty, 76 (93%) from 18 different countries completed the survey (84% male, 16% female). The highest ranked future research and development focus areas were meniscus repair, biologics, osteotomy procedures, addressing meniscus extrusion, and the development of new therapies for the prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Currently, the most ‘valuable’ type of biologic reported for meniscus treatment was platelet-rich plasma. The main reported global research limitation was a lack of long-term clinical outcomes data. The most promising emerging medical technologies for improving meniscus science were 3-D printing, personalized medicine, and artificial implants.

Conclusions

This survey suggests that the future of meniscus science should be focused on meniscal preservation techniques through meniscus repair, addressing meniscal extrusion, and the use of orthobiologics. The lack of long-term clinical outcomes was the main reported research limitation globally for meniscus treatment. Future product development utilizing emerging medical technologies suggest the use of 3-D printing for meniscal transplants/scaffolds, personalized treatment, and bioengineering for artificial implants.

Level of Evidence

Level V.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40634-021-00345-y.