The menisci are crucial for a healthy knee joint with important biomechanical and functional properties, as they:

• • Transmit and distribute loads during weight-bearing
  • Make more congruent the joint
  • Have shock absorbing capacities
  • Serve as secondary joint stabilizers
  • Provide joint lubrication, cartilage nutrition and proprioception

Meniscal tears, often a consequence of violent rotation of the joint, are the most frequent knee injuries. Today, meniscal injuries may be treated with a variety of therapies from conservative treatment for asymptomatic lesions, to meniscectomy, meniscal repair or replacement in case of symptomatic injuries. The suitable treatment is chosen based on the type of meniscal tear, as well as on the healing potential of index meniscus.

Meniscectomy

Symptomatic meniscal tears in the avascular zone of the meniscus (central part of the tissue) are mainly treated with partial meniscectomy as they have poor prognosis of healing. However, meniscectomy may lead to cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis; hence, it is recommended only in the case of irreparable meniscal lesion.

Meniscal Repair

Meniscal repair is recommended for young patients with traumatic meniscal tears. The vascular supply is fundamental for the success of meniscal repair; therefore, this method is applied only to peripheral meniscal injuries, which have good potential healing. Arthroscopic treatment is commonly performed, which is classified into three main groups: the inside-out technique, the outside-in technique, and the all-inside technique with similar failure rates.