Knee Arthroscopic Surgery for Meniscus Tears

The AHA! Team — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 05:36:09 +0000

Georgia M. Beasley, MD, MHSc, via Duke Health – The knee is one of the most commonly injured parts of the body, and meniscus tears are often the cause of knee pain and knee injury. The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that absorbs shock between the shin bone and thigh bone and distributes weight across the knee joint. When this cartilage tears, it can cause pain and instability in the knee joint. Meniscus tears can result from a twisting injury in sporting activities, such as football or soccer, or even something as simple as turning to put the dishes away. Symptoms of Meniscus Tears People of all ages can suffer from meniscus injuries, but each age has different types of tears and different ways to treat the tears. Almost all tears have similar symptoms, including: Pain Swelling Tenderness Giving way Mechanical symptoms, such as locking, popping, and catching Diagnosing a Meniscus Tear When you experience these symptoms, it is important to see an orthopaedic surgeon so your knee can be examined and an accurate diagnosis made. Occasionally, the diagnosis is obvious based upon a description of the injury and an examination of the patient. However, X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are frequently used to help identify any other associated injuries. Most common findings The most common findings on exam include tenderness over the joint line where the meniscus is torn, swelling, and sometimes loss of motion. The most important to report is whether you have mechanical symptoms such as episodes of feeling like your knee is caught or stuck. Once the diagnosis of a meniscus tear is made, you should discuss your treatment plan with your orthopaedic surgeon. For most people who have a symptomatic meniscus tear with mechanical symptoms, arthroscopic surgery is selected to remove or repair the torn tissue. However, if you have arthritis, you may benefit from injection and physical therapy without surgery. Arthroscopy has revolutionized how knee surgery is performed. In the past, a torn meniscus required a three- to four-inch incision and an overnight stay (or two) in the hospital. Now, the meniscus tear can be repaired with the arthroscope through two tiny (less than a half-inch) incisions. The surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis in less than an hour. Typically, the surgery can be performed under regional anesthesia with sedation, so there’s minimal anesthesia risk. Occasionally, small stitches can be placed into the torn meniscus to sew it back together; this technique can successfully treat large tears in younger people. If the tear is small, it may be removed. Quick Recovery Time Recovery from arthroscopic meniscus tear surgery is relatively quick, and most people can resume normal activities within a few weeks depending on the size of the tear and the repair involved. The pain relief is dramatic, and the postoperative incision pain is quite minimal. Physical therapy is often necessary in the recovery process. As with any surgery, there are risks, including the risk of infection or blood clots. Additionally, there are risks associated with anesthesia used during the surgical procedure. While meniscus tears are common, painful, and activity-limiting, these injuries can be quickly, easily, and successfully identified and treated. To read the original article click here.

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New Biodegradable Adhesive Offers Safer Alternative for Knee Meniscus Repair

The AHA! Team — Wed, 21 May 2025 05:40:28 +0000

Taipei Medical University via News-Medical – Prof. Jia-Lin Wu’s research team from Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, has developed an advanced biodegradable tissue adhesive to repair torn knee menisci. This innovative adhesive offers a safer and more effective alternative to traditional sutures, paving the way for improved recovery and reduced surgical complications for millions of patients. Natural polymers improve meniscus repair with biodegradable adhesive Meniscus tears, a common knee injury for athletes and older adults, are often treated with sutures that can damage healthy tissue and lead to poor healing. The newly developed adhesive, called ChitHCl-DDA, is made from natural polymers (chitosan and dextran) and demonstrates high adhesive strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making it ideal for meniscus repair. This advancement can improve outcomes for athletes, older adults, and others who face this common injury, as well as reduce the burden on healthcare systems. ChitHCl-DDA: Strong, biocompatible, and designed for seamless healing The ChitHCl-DDA adhesive exhibits strong adhesion and biocompatibility, forming a durable bond with meniscus tissue even in wet environments while supporting natural healing without harmful side effects. It promotes tissue regeneration by encouraging cell migration and collagen formation, which is essential for effective recovery. Designed for controlled degradation, the adhesive provides mechanical support during healing and gradually disappears as the tissue regenerates. Laboratory and animal studies demonstrated its effectiveness, showing significant improvements in tissue healing, reduced extrusion, and enhanced regeneration compared to untreated controls. “Our innovative ChitHCl-DDA adhesive not only bonds strongly in challenging wet conditions but also actively promotes natural tissue regeneration—paving the way for a less invasive and more efficient approach to meniscus repair,” said Prof. Wu. Rigorous testing behind ChitHCl-DDA’s success The research team synthesized the adhesive using chitosan hydrochloride and oxidized dextran, forming a gel-like material that bonds through a chemical reaction. This adhesive sets quickly (2-5 minutes), ensuring it remains in place during surgery. It was tested rigorously for strength, swelling, and biocompatibility, using advanced techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and rheological analysis. The adhesive was also tested successfully on porcine and rabbit models to confirm its real-world applicability. This new adhesive could reduce reliance on sutures and associated complications, providing a less invasive and more effective solution for meniscus repair. Beyond orthopedics, the technology may inspire further applications in tissue repair and regenerative medicine, impacting various medical fields. Source: Taipei Medical University Journal reference: Wong, P.-C., et al. (2024). Injectable ChitHCl-DDA tissue adhesive with high adhesive strength and biocompatibility for torn meniscus repair and regeneration. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132409. To read the original article click here.

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Knee Arthroscopic Surgery for Meniscus Tears

New Biodegradable Adhesive Offers Safer Alternative for Knee Meniscus Repair