Meniscus Reconstruction Using a New Collagen Meniscus Implant

Abstract

Meniscal tearsMeniscal tearsare the most common knee injuries, and for years meniscectomy has been considered the gold-standard treatment. As it is now well-known that even partial deficiency of the meniscus could be destructive for the knee joint in the long-term, meniscal substitution has gained popularity. The collagen meniscus implant (CMI) is a resorbable collagen template that supports ingrowth of new tissue and finally regeneration of lost meniscus tissue. The surgical technique is arthroscopic and the post-operative care following CMI resembles that of meniscal suture, with restricted weight-bearing and cautious joint mobilization. Often, complex cases involve a combined procedure such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, corrective osteotomy or cartilage treatment, as demonstrated by the high rate of concurrent procedures reported in the literature. The results for both lateral and medial meniscal substitution are generally good in most patients, with evidence of scaffold resorption and in-growth of meniscus-like tissue. The chondroprotective effect of the CMI has not been completely demonstrated, despite encouraging evidence suggesting a reduction of the degenerative changes in the articular cartilage.