AANA Knee Arthroscopy - September 2024-Biologic Augmentation of Meniscus Repairs: Current Options and What is the Evidence?

Biologic Augmentation of Meniscus Repairs: Current Options and What is the Evidence?

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Andrea Spiker from the University of Wisconsin discusses biological augmentation of meniscus repairs, highlighting the meniscus's role in knee function and challenges in healing, especially in avascular zones. Surgical options include meniscectomy, repair, or replacement, with repairs having variable failure rates. Biological augmentations aim to enhance healing by promoting cellular growth and matrix production through methods such as synovial rasping, needle trephination, bone marrow stimulation, fibrin clots, PRP injections, mesenchymal stem cells, and biomaterial scaffolds. Although these approaches show promise, current evidence is limited, and no single augmentation technique is yet established as the gold standard.

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Dr. Andrea Spiker

Keywords

biological augmentation

meniscus repair

knee function

healing challenges

mesenchymal stem cells