The meniscus plays an important role in load transmission, shock absorption, joint stability. Damage to the meniscus can cause osteoarthritis with abnormal load distribution. Treatment is performed through two methods, suturing and partial meniscectomy. Existing studies have shown that suturing is a better way to achieve biomechanical lower load changes. However, the inner third of the meniscus, which is called avascular zone may not recover well even if repaired properly. Partial meniscectomy can be alternative option in avascular compartment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out which method of treatment is better in the Red-White zone and White-White zone.
14 samples of the porcine were prepared. Using Tekscan K-scan 4000 sensor, articular cartilage contact pressure was measured when (1) the meniscus was intact, (2) a longitudinal tear was created, (3) the torn meniscus was repaired and (4) the torn meniscus was partially removed according to the different degrees.
Although meniscal repair is believed to deliver better clinical outcomes than partial meniscal resections, partial meniscectomy is sometimes the only option in avascular region due to the poor healing ability and limited structural areas for sutures. Our results suggested that meniscal repairs in Red-White zone may have advantages in articular cartilage stress distributions over partial meniscectomy. However, the differences in cartilage contact stresses between meniscectomized and meniscal reapaired knees were not found to be significant in White-White regions indicating that partial meniscectomy may be as safe as meniscal repairs. It might be that the contribution of White-White zone on the load distribution in knee joints are limited due to the thin and narrow meniscal structure.