Objective To examine the research status and predict trends in ME research findings from 1997-2023 on a global scale. Methods Web of Science Core Collection database was searched for original articles on ME published between 1997 and 2023, and then analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer and the Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology to map scientific knowledge. Results A total of 748 articles were eventually included. The number of ME publications increased year by year, with the USA being the most productive country. Osteoarthritis, MRI, medial meniscus posterior root repair, biomechanical evaluation, lateral meniscus allograft transplantation, radiographic joint space narrowing are the high frequency keywords in co-occurrence cluster analysis and cocited reference cluster analysis. Medial meniscus posterior root tear and lateral meniscus allograft transplantation are current and evolving research hotspots in citation burst detection analysis. Conclusions The understanding of ME has been improved significantly during the past decades. Current research focuses on optimizing surgical repair methods and obtaining long-term follow-up outcomes for medial meniscal posterior root repair and developing methods to reduce ME after lateral meniscal allograft, as well as they are the highlights of future research on ME.
Objective Anterior cruciate l igament (ACL) is an important forward stable structure of knees, when its function impaired, the normal mechanical environment of joint will be destroyed. Now, to explore the effect of ACL rupture on the posterior horn of lateral meniscus by measuring biomechanics. Methods Ten specimens of knee joints (5 left and 5 right sides asymmetrically) were donated voluntarily from 10 normal fresh adult male cadavers, aged 26-35 years with anaverage of 31.4 years. The straining of lateral meniscus posterior horn in 10 knee joint specimens before and after resection of ACL were tested when the knee joints loaded from 0 to 200 N at a velocity of 0.5 mm per second at 0, 30, 60, and 90° of flexion and recorded at the moment when the load was 200 N, the ratio of straining before and after resection of ACL were connted. All the specimens were anatomied and observed in general so as to find injuries such as deformation and tearing in lateral meniscus after test. Results The straining of lateral meniscus posterior horn were as follows: intact ACL group, (—11.70 ± 0.95) με at 0° flexion, (—14.10 ± 1.95) με at 30° flexion, (—20.10 ± 1.20) με at 60° flexion, and (—26.50 ± 1.58) με at 90° flexion; ACL rupture group, (—6.20 ± 1.55) με at 0° flexion, (—26.30 ± 1.89) με at 30° flexion, (—37.70 ± 1.64) με at 60° flexion, and (—46.20 ± 2.78) με at 90° flexion. There were significant differences between intact ACL group and ACL rupture group (P lt; 0.05). The straining ratio of the posterior horn of lateral meniscus rupture ACL to intact ACL were 0.53 ± 0.12, 1.90 ± 0.31, 1.88 ± 0.15, and 1.75 ± 0.16 at 0, 30, 60, and 90° of flexion. The lateral meniscus were intact in general and no injuries such as deformation and tearingwere found. Conclusion ACL has a significant biomechanical effect on posterior horn of lateral meniscus. Consequently, the posterior horn of lateral meniscus is overloaded with ACL rupture at 30, 60, and 90° of flexion, and thereby, it will have the high risk of tear.
Objective To investigate the repair method of type Ⅱc injury in the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area based on the porcine knee joint. Methods Eighteen commercially available fresh porcine knee joints were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6). After preparing a type Ⅱc injury in the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area, and the anterior (group A), posterior (group B), or anterior and posterior (group C) of the popliteal hiatus (PH) was sutured by vertical mattress. The tension meter was used to apply gradient tensions of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 N along the tibial plateau horizontally, respectively, to pull the midpoint of the lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area. The displacement values before modeling, after modeling, and after suture were recorded. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture were calculated and compared between groups. Results There was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05) in the displacement values before modeling, after modeling, and after suture under different tensions. There was no significant difference between groups A and C (P>0.05) in the reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture under different tensions. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and reduction rate after suture in group B were lower than those in groups A and C. The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement under tension of 2 N and the reduction rates under tensions of 2, 4, and 6 N between groups A and B showed significant differences (P<0.05). The reduction value of lateral meniscus displacement and the reduction rate under tensions of 2, 4, and 6 N between groups B and C showed significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Suturing the anterior area of PH is the key to repairing type Ⅱc injury of lateral meniscus popliteal tendon area.
Meniscus injury has been one of the most common knee injuries in current society. The research on artificial meniscus implants as substitutes in meniscus reconstruction therapy has become global focus in order to solve clinical problems such as irreparable meniscus injury and symptoms after full or partial meniscectomy. At present, researches on artificial meniscus implants mainly focus on biodegradable meniscus scaffolds and non-biodegradable meniscus substitutes. Although the commercialized meniscal implants, such as CMI®, Actifit® and NUsurface®, have been applied in the clinical, none of them can perfectively restore or permanently replace the natural meniscus tissue, effectively solve the symptoms after meniscectomy, and prevent cartilage degenerative diseases. The research progress, application, advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of artificial meniscus implants are reviewed in this manuscript, and the prospect is provided.
Objective To measure and analyze the relationships among the posterior tibial slope (PTS), meniscal slope (MS), and meniscus posterior horn thickness (MPHT) of the medial and lateral tibial plateau in healthy people and patients with anteromedial osteoarthritis (AMOA) in Heilongjiang province, so as to provide reference basis for appropriate tibial osteotomy and prosthesis placement angles in knee joint surgeries. Methods A retrospective collection of imaging data from knee joint MRI examinations conducted prior to AMOA for various reasons was performed. A total of 103 healthy individuals (healthy group) and 30 AMOA patients (AMOA group) were included. There was no significant difference in the gender composition ratio, side, and body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05); however, the comparison of ages between the two groups showed a significant difference (P<0.05). The collected DICOM format image data was imported into the RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software and measured the medial PTS (MPTS), lateral PTS (LPTS), medial MS (MMS), lateral MS (LMS), medial MPHT (MMPHT), and lateral MPHT (LMPHT) with standard methods. The differences of the above indexes between the two groups and between different genders and sides in the two groups were compared, and Pearson correlation analysis was carried out. At the same time, the measured data of healthy group were compared with the relevant literature reported in the past. Results Compared to the healthy group, the AMOA group exhibited significantly smaller MPTS and LPTS, as well as significantly greater MMPHT and LMPHT, with significant differences (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the MMS and LMS between the two groups (P>0.05). The differences in various indicators between genders and sides within the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). The correlation analysis and regression curves indicated that both MPTS and LPTS in the two groups were positively correlated with their respective ipsilateral MS and MPHT (P<0.05); as PTS increased, the rate of increase in MS and MPHT tend to plateau. Compared to previous related studies, the MPTS and LPTS measured in healthy group were comparable to those of the Turkish population, exhibiting smaller values than those reported in other studies, while MMS and LMS were relatively larger, and MMPHT and LMPHT were smaller. ConclusionIn healthy people and AMOA patients in Heilongjiang province, PTS has great individual differences, but there is no significant individual difference in MS. MPHT can play a certain role in retroversion compensation, and its thickness increase may be used as one of the indicators to predict the progression of AMOA. The above factors should be taken into account when UKA is performed, and the posterior tilt angle of tibial osteotomy should be set reasonably after preoperative examination and evaluation.
Objective To observe the outcome of arthroscopic meniscal plasty and suture repair to treat torn discoid lateral meniscus involving popl iteal hiatus. Methods Between January 2008 and May 2009, 21 cases of torn discoid lateral meniscus involving popl iteal hiatus were treated by arthroscopic surgery. There were 9 males and 12 females with an average ageof 22.5 years (range, 12-45 years), including 12 left knees and 9 right knees. Seven cases had the history of injury and other 14 cases had uncertain trauma. The average disease duration was 6.4 months (range, 3 months to 2 years). All patients complained knee pain or locking with positive McMurray test and mill ing test before surgery. All cases had torn discoid lateral meniscus, and the tear extended to the popl iteal hiatus, including 17 cases of complete type and 4 cases of incomplete type according to the Watanabe classification. After meniscal plasty, suture repair of torn popl iteal lateral hiatus was performed. The anterior part to hiatus was repaired by the outside-in technique, and the posterior part underwent repair of all inside technique by FasTFix. Results All wounds healed by first intention with no compl ications such as infection, stiffness of knee, or injury of common peroneal nerve. All patients were followed up 12-28 months with an average of 18 months. The symptoms of knee pain or locking disappeared postoperatively with negative McMurray test and mill ing test in all patients. The Lysholm score was improved from 54.0 ± 13.4 to 90.0 ± 6.6 at 12 months postoperatively, showing significant difference (t=— 12.00, P=0.00). Based on the improved Lysholm classification standard, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 5, and fair in 2; the excellent and good rate was 90.5%. Conclusion For torn discoid lateral meniscus involving popl iteal hiatus, based on meniscal plasty, suture repair of the popl iteal hiatus would contribute to preserve the peripheral part and restore its stabil ity.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic bipolar radiofrequency energy (bRFE) and lateral partial meniscectomy for lateral meniscus tear and cartilage lesion. MethodsBetween January 2011 and December 2012, 40 eligible patients with lateral meniscus tear and cartilage injury in the lateral knee compartment underwent arthroscopic treatment, and the clinical data were analysed retrospectively. There were 21 males and 19 females, aged 15-65 years (mean, 42.1 years). The left knee was involved in 22 cases and the right knee in 18 cases. The causes of injury included sport injuries in 5 cases and sprain of knee joints in 8 cases, the remaining patients had no history of trauma. The disease duration ranged from 1 month to 10 years (median, 10 months). The Lysholm score and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score of the knee were 59.9±8.2 and 69.6±5.3. According to the Outerbridge classification, 2 cases were rated as grade I, 21 cases as grade II, 17 cases as grade III, and 10 cases as grade IV. The scores described by Noyes were 1-16 (mean, 6.52). The Noyes scores were from 1 to 6 points in 20 patients (group A) and 7 to 16 points in 20 patients (group B). During surgery, all patients underwent partial meniscectomy, and radiofrequency-based chondroplasty was used. Knee joint function was assessed using the Lysholm score and JOA score of the knee, and the clinical outcomes between different degrees of cartilage lesions were also compared. ResultsAll incisions healed primarily without complication. All the patients were followed up 8-31 months (mean, 18.1 months). The Lysholm and JOA scores of the knee at last follow-up (92.2±7.2 and 92.9±7.9, respectively) were significantly higher than those at preoperation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative Lysholm and JOA scores of the knee between groups A and B (P>0.05), but significance difference was found between 2 groups at last follow-up (P<0.05). ConclusionArthroscopic bRFE and lateral partial meniscectomy have good effectiveness in treating lateral meniscus tear and cartilage lesion. The effectiveness is better in patients with mild cartilage lesion than in patients with severe cartilage lesion.
Objective To summarize and analyze the research progress of scaffold materials used in tissue engineered meniscus. Methods The classification and bionics design of scaffold materials were summarized by consulting domestic and foreign literature related to the research of tissue engineered meniscus in recent years. Results Tissue engineered meniscus scaffolds can be roughly classified into synthetic polymers, hydrogels, extracellular matrix components, and tissue derived materials. These different materials have different characteristics, so the use of a single material has its unique disadvantages, and the use of a variety of materials composite scaffolds can learn from each other, which is a hot research area at present. In addition to material selection, material processing methods are also the focus of research. At the same time, according to the morphological structure and mechanical characteristics of the meniscus, the bionic design of tissue engineered meniscus scaffolds has great potential. Conclusion At present, there are many kinds of scaffold materials for tissue engineered meniscus. However, there is no material that can completely simulate the natural meniscus, and further research of scaffold materials is still needed.
ObjectiveTo discuss the MRI diagnostic criteria, classification and lesion characteristics of medial discoid meniscus of the knee. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of all patients who accepted MRI examination of knee from November 2009 to March 2015.Twenty-six of them (28 knees) with medial discoid meniscus were screened out.We measured and analyzed in all cases the ratio of the width of meniscus to that of tibial plateau on coronal slice, and the thickest thickness of the meniscus posterior horn on sagittal slice.All cases were divided into complete and incomplete type according to MRI findings, and then we compared the lesion rate of the two types of medial discoid meniscus. ResultsTwenty-eight cases were divided into complete type (n=16) and incomplete type (n=12);there were 17 cases of medial discoid meniscal tears, with a lesion rate of 60.7%.The ratio of the width of meniscus to that of tibial plateau on coronal slice was 0.29±0.06, and the thickest thickness of the meniscus posterior horn was (5.31±0.92) mm.The lesion rate of complete type was 81.2%, and 33.3% of the incomplete type.The lesion rate of the complete type was higher than that of the incomplete type, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThree MRI diagnostic criteria for medial discoid meniscus are 3 or more than 3 consecutive layers discoid meniscus "tie-like" change in sagittal slice, the ratio of the width of meniscus to that of tibial plateau≥0.20, and the thickest thickness of the meniscus posterior horn≥4.40 mm.Medial discoid meniscuses are divided into complete and incomplete type; the lesion rate of complete type of medial discoid meniscus is higher than that of the incomplete type.
Objective To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of knee MRI at 90° flexed position for Ramp lesions of medial meniscus. Methods A total of 228 patients with knee pain as the main complaint who were admitted between September 2021 and September 2023 was selected as the research subjects, of which 51 patients met the selection criteria and were enrolled in the study. There were 31 males and 20 females with an average age of 38.6 years (range, 15-67 years). Body mass index was 17.2-28.7 kg/m2 (mean, 23.9 kg/m2). There were 25 cases of left knee and 36 cases of right knee. The time from injury to admission was 0.1-14.3 weeks (mean, 2.1 weeks). Preoperative knee MRI at fully extended position (knee extension position) and 90° flexed position (knee flexion position) were performed to determine the presence of irregular signs at the posterior edge of the medial meniscus, and PHMM fluid high signal [i.e. complete fluid filling between the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM) and the capsule margin]. Findings obtained under arthroscopy served as the “gold standard” to analyze the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRI at knee extension and flexion positions for the two specific signs of Ramp lesion.Results Twenty-one patients (41.2%) were diagnosed with Ramp lesions by using arthroscopy, including 1 case of Thaunat type Ⅰ, 2 cases of type Ⅱ, 6 cases of type Ⅲ, 7 cases of type Ⅳ, and 5 cases of type Ⅴ. The positive rates of irregular signs at the posterior edge of the medial meniscus on MRI at knee extension and flexion positions were significantly different from the diagnosis of Ramp injury under arthroscopy (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of MRI in the diagnosis of irregular signs were 76.1%, 60.0%, 66.7%, 57.1%, and 78.3% respectively at knee extension position, and 85.7%, 73.3%, 78.4%, 69.2%, and 88.0% respectively at knee flexion position. The positive rates of PHMM fluid high signal on MRI at knee extension and flexion positions were significantly different from the diagnosis of Ramp injury under arthroscopy (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of MRI in diagnosing PHMM fluid high signal were 38.1%, 100%, 74.5%, 100%, and 69.8% respectively at knee extension position, and 85.7%, 100%, 94.1%, 100%, and 90.9% respectively at knee flexion position. ConclusionKnee MRI at 90° flexed position improves the diagnostic performance of the detection of medial meniscal Ramp lesions compared with MRI at fully extended position.