Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The self-restoring ability of meniscus injury is poor. Tissue-engineered methods provide the possibility for the meniscus function recovery.
OBJECTIVE: To review the treatment of meniscus injury, and to emphasize tissue-engineered repair of meniscus.
METHODS: An online search of PubMed database and Wanfang database was performed using key words of “meniscus, treatment, the measure, materials” in both English and Chinese for articles on meniscus injury and its medical materials published between January 1980 to March 2011. Articles related to the treatment and materials of meniscus were retained. Articles published recently or in authoritative journals were of priority.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 174 articles were obtained in initial search. According to the inclusion criteria, 35 articles were finally selected. Research shows that areas surrounding the cartilage have a certain self-repair ability. It has desirable effects on the later stage of conventional treatments for regularity laceration which preserves the tissue, and has very little influence on the conventional treatments for serious injury. The condition to make use of tissue-engineered methods for meniscus treatment is becoming increasingly diverse and matured. The selection and development of ideal material are important factors of restricting the rehabilitation effect.