Meniscus Repair and Regeneration: A Systematic Review from a Basic and Translational Science Perspective

Clin Sports Med. 2020 Jan;39(1):125-163. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2019.08.003.

Abstract

Meniscus injuries are among the most common athletic injuries and result in functional impairment in the knee. Repair is crucial for pain relief and prevention of degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis. Current treatments, however, do not produce long-term improvements. Thus, recent research has been investigating new therapeutic options for regenerating injured meniscal tissue. This review comprehensively details the current methodologies being explored in the basic sciences to stimulate better meniscus injury repair. Furthermore, it describes how these preclinical strategies may improve current paradigms of how meniscal injuries are clinically treated through a unique and alternative perspective to traditional clinical methodology.

Keywords: Meniscus; Regenerative medicine; Scaffolds; Stem cell; Tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Marrow Cells
  • Cartilage / cytology
  • Chondrocytes / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology
  • Menisci, Tibial / cytology
  • Menisci, Tibial / physiology*
  • Platelet-Rich Fibrin
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma
  • Regeneration*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Synovial Membrane / cytology
  • Tibial Meniscus Injuries / surgery*
  • Tissue Engineering*
  • Tissue Scaffolds*

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins