The Meniscus: New Approaches to Treatment

Each year, nearly one million Americans injure their meniscus, the crescent-shaped cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee. Damage to the meniscus can occur by sudden twisting of the knee during athletic activities. Injury to meniscal cartilage can result in pain and swelling, or may cause the knee to give way or lock. Because the body's weight is no longer distributed evenly, the articular cartilage is less protected; these injuries can lead to painful arthritis of the knee.

Preserving the Meniscus

At the Rush CRC^®, we do everything possible to repair or even replace torn meniscal cartilage. In the past, the first line of treatment for such injuries was complete removal of the meniscus. However, many people who have had this protective cartilage removed during a procedure called a meniscectomy, have developed arthritis very early in life. Today, experts recognize the protective value of meniscal cartilage. To preserve meniscal function after injury, surgeons repair the meniscus whenever possible, removing only the portions that are considered irreparable.

Restoring the Meniscus

An investigational technique called a meniscus implant is used for patients who have sustained recent meniscus tears, those which cannot be repaired, or who have already had part of the meniscus removed. The Rush CRC is participating in a meniscus implant investigational study along with a handful of other medical centers. Collagen implants are designed to provide a biocompatible and bioresorbable bridge for tissue growth when implanted in the body.

To restore meniscal function following meniscectomy, surgeons can sew a collagen meniscus implant into the area where meniscus tissue is missing. Over time, the implant is replaced by the body's own meniscus cells and is naturally resorbed, leaving new meniscus tissue in its place.

Replacing the Meniscus—The Cutting Edge

For patients who have had the meniscus completely removed in a previous surgery, the Rush CRC offers an innovative solution called a meniscus transplant. Using this technique, surgeons transplant donated meniscus cartilage—which has been tested to ensure that it is free of any transmittable disease—to replace cartilage that has been removed in a previous surgery. Unlike other forms of tissue transplantation, this procedure does not require patients to be on medication to prevent tissue rejection.

To replace meniscus cartilage that was previously removed, surgeons can arthroscopically, through small incisions, sew in a meniscus transplant that heals and functions much like the patient's own meniscus. This leads to a more stable and less painful knee that might otherwise have developed progressive arthritis.

Doctors at the Rush CRC expect that these new methods will help stave off the development or progression of arthritis, and possibly eliminate the need for later surgeries.