Platelet-rich plasma for open meniscal repair in young patients: any benefit?

Advances in meniscus tissue engineering: Towards bridging the gaps from bench to bedside

Meniscus is vital for maintaining the anatomical and functional integrity of knee. Injuries to meniscus, commonly caused by trauma or degenerative processes, can result in knee joint dysfunction and secondary osteoarthritis, while current conservative and surgical interventions for meniscus injuries bear suboptimal outcomes. In the past decade, there has been a significant focus on advancing meniscus tissue engineering, encompassing isolated scaffold strategies, biological augmentation, physical stimulus, and meniscus organoids, to improve the prognosis of meniscus injuries. Despite noteworthy promising preclinical results, translational gaps and inconsistencies in the therapeutic efficiency between preclinical and clinical studies exist. This review comprehensively outlines the developments in meniscus tissue engineering over the past decade (Scheme 1). Reasons for the discordant results between preclinical and clinical trials, as well as potential strategies to expedite the translation of bench-to-bedside approaches are analyzed and discussed.

Efficacy of Intraoperative Platelet-Rich Plasma After Meniscal Repair: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Meniscal injuries frequently require surgical intervention to restore knee joint function and stability. Intraoperative platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy to enhance tissue healing post-meniscal repair. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PRP in terms of pain relief, functional recovery, and overall success rates in patients undergoing meniscal repair procedures.

Methods

A comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant studies across Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases. The inclusion criteria encompassed human studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohorts, and case-control studies, focusing on intraoperative platelet-rich plasma (PRP) use post-meniscal repair and reporting outcomes related to pain, functionality, and cure rates. Exclusion criteria comprised animal studies, non-English publications, studies lacking relevant outcome measures, and those with insufficient data. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, resolving disagreements through consensus or consultation with a third reviewer, followed by a full-text assessment for potentially eligible studies. Data extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers using a standardized form. The reliability of observational studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Subgroup analyses and pooled effect estimates for main outcomes were computed using RevMan 5.3, a meta-analysis tool.

Results

The demographic analysis revealed that the PRP group had an average age of 41.39 years, while the control group had an average age of 42.1 years. In terms of gender distribution, the PRP group consisted of 61 men and 29 women, while the control group had 62 men and 34 women. Pain ratings showed a preference for PRP with a mean difference of 4.83 (p = 0.13). However, there was no significant difference in Lysholm scores (mean difference: - 0.44, p = 0.91) or IKDC scores (mean difference: 2.80, p = 0.14) between the PRP and control groups. Similarly, ROM measures did not show a statistically significant difference, with a mean difference of 2.80 (p = 0.18). Additionally, there was no significant distinction in failure rates between the PRP and control groups, as indicated by a weighted mean difference of 0.71 (p = 0.52). These findings suggest that while PRP may offer some benefits in pain relief, its impact on functional recovery, range of motion, and failure rates following meniscal repair procedures is inconclusive.

Conclusion

The current evidence regarding the effect of intraoperative platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on patients undergoing meniscal repair remains inconclusive. While some studies suggest potential benefits in terms of pain relief and functional recovery, others show no significant differences compared to control groups. The impact of PRP therapy on overall success rates, including rates of re-tear and revision surgery, is also uncertain. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to provide more robust evidence and guide clinical practice in orthopedic surgery.

Horizontal Cleavage Meniscus Tear: "The Quad Tendon Augmentation Technique"

The management of medial meniscus horizontal cleavage tears can be challenging. Currently, several treatment options, including nonoperative and surgical options, have been proposed in the literature. Different repair techniques aiming to promote the healing process have been reported and have shown good outcomes. However, recurrent parameniscal cysts and decreased meniscal volume have also been reported. In this Technical Note, a novel surgical technique to repair a horizontal cleavage tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus is reported in young patients. The technique uses a strip of autologous quadriceps tendon to fill the void between the upper and lower meniscal leaflets followed by an all-inside compression suture. Both of these technical features aim to overcome the limitations of current repair techniques.

Finite element analysis of the knee joint stress after partial meniscectomy for meniscus horizontal cleavage tears

OBJECTIVE

To establish a finite element model of meniscus horizontal cleavage and partial resection, to simulate the mechanical changes of knee joint under 4 flexion angles, and to explore what is the optimal surgical plan.

METHODS

We used Mimics Research, Geomagic Wrap, and SolidWorks computer software to reconstruct the 3D model of the knee joint, and then produced the horizontal cleavage tears model of the internal and lateral meniscus, the suture model, and the partial meniscectomy model. These models were assembled into a complete knee joint in SolidWorks software, and corresponding loads and boundary constraints were added to these models in ANSYS software to simulate the changing trend of pressure and shear force on femoral condylar cartilage, meniscus, and tibial cartilage under the flexion angles of 0°, 10°, 20°, 30° and 40° of the knee joint. At the same time, the difference of force area between medial interventricular and lateral interventricular of knee joint under four states of bending the knee was compared, to explore the different effects of different surgical methods on knee joint after horizontal meniscus tear.

RESULTS

Within the four medial meniscus injury models, the lowest peak internal pressure and shear force of the knee joint was observed in the meniscal suture model; the highest values were found in the bilateral leaflet resection model and the inferior leaflet resection model; the changes of pressure, shear force and stress area in the superior leaflet resection model were the most similar to the changes of the knee model with the meniscal suture model.

CONCLUSION

Suture repair is the best way to maintain the force relationship in the knee joint. However, resection of the superior leaflet of the meniscus is also a reliable choice when suture repair is difficult.

Platelet-Rich Plasma and Marrow Venting May Serve as Cost-Effective Augmentation Techniques for Isolated Meniscal Repair: A Decision-Analytical Markov Model-Based Analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of 3 isolated meniscal repair (IMR) treatment strategies: platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-augmented IMR, IMR with a marrow venting procedure (MVP), and IMR without biological augmentation.

METHODS

A Markov model was developed to evaluate the baseline case: a young adult patient meeting the indications for IMR. Health utility values, failure rates, and transition probabilities were derived from the published literature. Costs were determined based on the typical patient undergoing IMR at an outpatient surgery center. Outcome measures included costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).

RESULTS

Total costs of IMR with an MVP were $8,250; PRP-augmented IMR, $12,031; and IMR without PRP or an MVP, $13,326. PRP-augmented IMR resulted in an additional 2.16 QALYs, whereas IMR with an MVP produced slightly fewer QALYs, at 2.13. Non-augmented repair produced a modeled gain of 2.02 QALYs. The ICER comparing PRP-augmented IMR versus MVP-augmented IMR was $161,742/QALY, which fell well above the $50,000 willingness-to-pay threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

IMR with biological augmentation (MVP or PRP) resulted in a higher number of QALYs and lower costs than non-augmented IMR, suggesting that biological augmentation is cost-effective. Total costs of IMR with an MVP were significantly lower than those of PRP-augmented IMR, whereas the number of additional QALYs produced by PRP-augmented IMR was only slightly higher than that produced by IMR with an MVP. As a result, neither treatment dominated over the other. However, because the ICER of PRP-augmented IMR fell well above the $50,000 willingness-to-pay threshold, IMR with an MVP was determined to be the overall cost-effective treatment strategy in the setting of young adult patients with isolated meniscal tears.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, economic and decision analysis.

Horizontal Cleavage Tear Meniscal Repair Using All-Inside Circumferential Compression Sutures

Horizontal cleavage meniscus tears occur more frequently in older patient populations with degenerative changes within the meniscus. Traditionally, they have been managed with nonsurgical interventions or with partial meniscectomy. As increasing evidence demonstrates the link between partial meniscectomy and progressive osteoarthritis with these types of tears, as well as worse long-term outcomes and reduced cost savings, surgical repair of horizontal cleavage meniscal tears has increased in appropriate patients. This technique article highlights the evaluation, indications, and preferred repair technique for horizontal cleavage tears in appropriately selected patients.

Horizontal Cleavage Meniscus Tears: Biomechanics, Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes

» Accounting for up to 24% of all meniscus tears, horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) are a common pathology orthopaedic practitioners should be comfortable managing.» Historically, HCTs were treated with partial meniscectomy; however, recent studies have demonstrated that these procedures have an adverse biomechanical effect, while HCT repairs restore the knee's natural biomechanics.» Indications for the surgical repair of HCTs remain disputed, but surgery is generally considered for young, active patients and older patients without significant concomitant osteoarthritis.» Early clinical findings surrounding HCT repair are promising. They suggest that this treatment adequately restores meniscus mechanics, leads to good knee functional outcomes, and results in a high likelihood of return to preinjury activity levels.

Anterolateral Radial Meniscus Tear Repair using Traction Suture and Super-Hashtag Technique

Radial meniscus tears occur commonly as traumatic tears in younger patients, as well as in association with concomitant degenerative changes. Traditional management of these tears has centered around partial meniscectomy; however, there has been a more recent trend toward preserving the meniscus and attempting repair. Because of the gapping and displacement that frequently occurs with these tears, repair is often challenging and is done under high amounts of tension. The following article describes a technique using a traction suture to aid in maintaining reduction throughout repair. This is followed by the use of a combination of techniques to form a "super-hashtag" configuration of both vertical and horizontal mattress sutures, leading to a secure repair under little tension.

Platelet-rich plasma use in meniscus repair treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies

Background

There is conflicting clinical evidence whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies could translate to an increased meniscus healing rate and improved functional outcomes. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the failure rate and patient-reported functional outcomes in meniscus repair augmented with and without PRP.

Methods

We comprehensively searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies that compared the clinical efficacy of meniscus repair performed with PRP versus without PRP. The primary outcome was the meniscus repair failure rate, while the secondary outcomes were knee-specific patient-reported outcomes, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm knee scale, visual analog scale, Tegner activity level score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were performed by stratifying the studies according to the PRP preparation technique to investigate the potential sources of heterogeneity among studies.

Results

Our meta-analysis included nine studies (two RCTs and seven non-RCTs) with 1164 participants. The failure rate in the PRP group was significantly lower than that in the non-PRP group [odds ratio: 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.42, 0.96), P = 0.03]. Furthermore, the PRP group was associated with a statistically significant improvement in the visual analog scale for pain [Mean difference (MD): − 0.76, 95% CI (− 1.32, − 0.21), P = 0.007] and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-symptom [MD: 8.02, 95% CI (2.99, 13.05), P = 0.002] compared with the non-PRP group. However, neither the IKDC score nor the Lysholm knee scale showed any differences between the two groups. In addition, the results of subgroup analyses favored PRP over platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) regarding the IKDC score.

Conclusions

Although meniscus repairs augmented with PRP led to significantly lower failure rates and better postoperative pain control compared with those of the non-PRP group, there is insufficient RCT evidence to support PRP augmentation of meniscus repair improving functional outcomes. Moreover, PRP could be recommended in meniscus repair augmentation compared with PRFM. PRFM was shown to have no benefit in improving functional outcomes.

The Current Role of Biologics for Meniscus Injury and Treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is little doubt that the consensus has changed to favor preservation of meniscal function where possible. Accordingly, the indications for meniscal repair strategies have been refocused on the long-term interest of knee joint health. The development and refinements in surgical technique have been complemented by biological augmentation strategies to address intrinsic challenges in healing capacity of meniscal tissue, with variable effects.

RECENT FINDINGS

A contemporary approach to meniscal healing includes adequate surgical fixation, meniscal and synovial tissue stimulation, and management of the intraarticular milieu. Overall, evidence supporting the use of autogenous or allogeneic cell sources remains limited. The use of FDA-approved medications to effect biologically favorable mechanisms during meniscal healing holds promise. Development and characterization of biologics continue to advance with translational research focused on specific growth factors, cell and tissue behaviors in meniscal healing, and joint homeostasis. Although significant strides have been made in laboratory and pre-clinical studies, translation to clinical application remains challenging. Finally, expert consensus and standardization of nomenclature related to orthobiologics for meniscal preservation will be important for the advancement of this field.

No evidence in support of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in adults with degenerative and nonobstructive meniscal symptoms: a level I evidence-based systematic review

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether the results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) are comparable to a structured physical therapy (PT). This systematic review investigated efficacy of APM in the management of symptomatic meniscal damages in middle aged patients. Current available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which compared APM performed in isolation or combined with physical therapy versus sham arthroscopy or isolated physical therapy were considered in the present systematic review.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. All the level I RCTs which investigated the efficacy of AMP were accessed. Studies which included elderlies with severe OA were not eligible, nor were those in which APM was combined with other surgical intervention or in patients with unstable knee or with ligaments insufficiency. The risk of bias was assessed using the software Review Manager 5.3 (The Nordic Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen). To rate the quality of evidence of collected outcomes, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used.

RESULTS

Data from 17 studies (2037 patients) were collected. 48.5% (988 of 2037 patients) were women. The mean age of the patients was 52.7 ± 3.9 years, the mean BMI 27.0 ± 1.3 kg/m². The current evidence suggests no difference in functional PROMs (quality of the evidence: high), clinical PROMs (quality of the evidence: high), pain (quality of the evidence: high), quality of life (quality of the evidence: high), physical performance measures (quality of the evidence: moderate), and OA progression (quality of the evidence: moderate).

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits of APM in adults with degenerative and nonobstructive meniscal symptoms are limited. The current evidence reports similarity in the outcome between APM and PT. Further long-term RCTs are required to investigate whether APM and PT produce comparable results using validated and reliable PROMs. Moreover, future RCTs should investigate whether patients who might benefit from APM exist, clarifying proper indications and outcomes. High quality investigations are strongly required to establish the optimal PT regimes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I.

Clinical and Functional Outcome of Meniscal Injuries Treated with Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Single-Center Case Series

Meniscal injuries are among the most frequently encountered conditions in the knee joint. Therapeutic approaches are diverse and are largely dependent on the extent and location of the injury. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and functional outcomes of an intraarticular and percutaneous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection regime in patients with stable meniscal injuries. Demographics, the type of tear, affected knee, surgical procedure, type of intervention, follow-up period, and outcomes were recorded in all cases. Patient-reported outcome measures included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Tegner activity level scale. Overall patient satisfaction, quality of life, and pain intensity were also assessed. A total of 38 cases (8 females) had sustained a stable meniscal lesion (32 medial, 6 lateral) and met the inclusion criteria. All of them received three intraarticular and percutaneous PRP injections. Patients receiving the PRP injection regime reported clinically (p = 0.000) and functionally (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001) significant improvement in all outcome measures during this interval. All patients reported they were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome. The results of this study suggest that the treatment of stable meniscal injuries with percutaneous-intraarticular PRP injections can achieve a significant clinical and functional improvement.

Biological augmentation of meniscal repair: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Orthopedic literature remains divided on the utility of biologic augmentation to optimize outcomes after isolated meniscal repair. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the clinical outcomes and re-operation rates of biologically augmented meniscal repairs.

METHODS

PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were queried in October 2020 for published literature on isolated meniscal repair with biological augmentation. Studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias by two appraisal tools. Patient demographics, meniscal tear characteristics, surgical procedure, augmentation type, post-operative rehabilitation, patient reported outcome measures, and length of follow-up were recorded, reviewed, and analyzed by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Of 3794 articles, 18 met inclusion criteria and yielded 537 patients who underwent biologic augmentation of meniscal repair. The biologically augmented repair rates were 5.8-27.0% with PRP augmentation, 0.0-28.5% with fibrin clot augmentation, 0.0-12.9% with marrow stimulation, and 0.0% with stem cell augmentation. One of seven studies showed lower revision rates with augmented meniscal repair compared to standard repair techniques, whereas five of seven found no benefit. Three of ten studies found significant functional improvement of biologically augmented repair versus standard repair techniques and six of ten studies found no difference. There was significant heterogeneity in methods for biologic preparation, delivery, and post-operative rehabilitation protocols.

CONCLUSION

Patients reported significant improvements in functional outcomes scores after repair with biological augmentation, though the benefit over standard repair controls is questionable. Revision rates after biologically augmented meniscal repair also appear similar to standard repair techniques. Clinicians should bear this in mind when considering biologic augmentation in the setting of meniscal repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Evidence-based rationale for treatment of meniscal lesions in athletes

Meniscal injuries in elite athletes are a common cause of missed game time and even have the potential to be career shortening. In this patient group, care must be paid not only to the pathology, but also to a player's contract status, time in the season, specific demands of his/her sport and position on the field, and future consequences. Successful treatment requires the clinician to understand the player's goals and needs, communicate effectively between all stakeholders, and a have knowledge of the challenges posed by the different types of meniscal tear seen in this population. Paramount is the distinction between injuries to the medial and lateral meniscus. Deficiency of the lateral meniscus, as a result of a tear or a meniscectomy, leads to frequent early problems and inexorably to chondral degeneration thereby affecting an athlete's ability to perform. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to repair the majority of lateral meniscal tears. Medial meniscal tears pose a more challenging treatment dilemma, as the success of partial meniscectomy in achieving reproducible, early return to play must be balanced against the long-term degenerative consequences. Many meniscal tears are correctly treated non-operatively.Level of evidence V.

Efficiency of platelet-rich plasma therapy for healing sports injuries in young athletes

In recent years, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been a subject of controversy in orthopedics field. Our objective was to assess the efficiency of PRP therapy for patients who have suffered grade 2 meniscal lesions and grade 2 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesions, graded by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective observational study was conducted, which included 72 young recreational athletes who had been diagnosed with grade 2 meniscal injury, graded using MRI, that benefited from PRP therapy as an enhancement of the primary treatment, after cast immobilization. The Lysholm score, the pain intensity and the resuming of the physical activity before the PRP treatment and one month after were analyzed. Our study revealed that patients had an improved subjective perception of pain after PRP therapy and an improvement of the Lysholm score. Concurrently, 83.3% of patients could return to sports and daily physical activity. It can be concluded that PRP therapy is a safe, easy to manage treatment, efficient for pain relief and in resuming of sports activities for young recreational athletes who have sustained partial meniscal or ACL tears. In terms of pain relief, it appears that the PRP therapy could be more efficient for young patients with ACL injuries.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) augmentation does not result in more favourable outcomes in arthroscopic meniscal repair: a meta-analysis

Background

The efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) augmentation for arthroscopic meniscal repair is controversial. This meta-analysis compared arthroscopic meniscal repair performed in isolation or augmented with PRP.

Methods

The present study was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Pubmed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Embase were accessed in August 2021. All the clinical trials which compared arthroscopic meniscal repair performed in isolation or augmented with PRP were included.

Results

Eight hundred thirty-seven patients were included: 38% (318 of 837 patients) were women; the mean age of the patients was 35.6 (range, 20.8–64.3) years; the mean follow-up was 26.2 (range, 6–54) months. Similarity was found in analogue scale (VAS) (P = 0.5) and Lysholm (P = 0.9), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores (P = 0.9). Similarity was found in the rate of failure (P = 0.4) and rate of revision (P = 0.07).

Conclusion

The current published scientific evidence does not support PRP augmentation for arthroscopic meniscal repair.

Increased Vascularity in the Neonatal versus Adult Meniscus: Evaluation with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective. Quantification of meniscus vascularity has been limited with previous techniques, and minimal data exist describing differential vascular zones in the skeletally immature meniscus. The objective of this study is to use quantitative contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare meniscal vascularity in neonatal specimens with adults. We hypothesized that the developing meniscus has greater and more uniform vascularity throughout all zones. Design. Ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees (5 neonatal, age 0-6 months; 5 adult, 34-67 years) underwent gadolinium-enhanced MRI using an established vascularity quantification protocol. Regions of interest corresponding to peripheral and central zones of the meniscus were identified on pre-contrast coronal images, and signal enhancement within the same regions (normalized against background tissue) was compared between pre- and post-contrast images. Results. The medial and lateral menisci had similar distribution of perfusion (45.8% ± 8.1% medial vs. 54.2% ± 8.1% lateral in neonatal knees; 50.6% ± 11.3% medial vs. 49.4% ± 11.3% lateral in adult knees, P = 0.47). Increased perfusion was demonstrated in the periphery compared with the central zone (2.3:1 in neonatal knees and 3.25:1 in adult knees, P = 0.31). Neonatal specimens demonstrated 6.0-fold greater overall post-contrast meniscal signal enhancement compared with adults (P < 0.0001), with the 0-month specimen demonstrating the greatest proportional signal enhancement. Conclusions. While blood flow to the periphery is greater than to central zones in all menisci, younger menisci receive proportionally greater overall blood flow compared to adults, including to the central zone, suggesting that the immature meniscus is a more biologically active tissue than its adult counterpart.

The use of autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix combined with meniscal repair in the treatment of parameniscal cyst: clinical results and cyst recurrence after 2-year of follow up

Purpose

Parameniscal cysts are associate with horizontal meniscal tears. Arthroscopic meniscal repair and the excision of the cyst by mini-open approach represent a valid treatment. However, the recurrence of cyst is still a current issue. Therefore, biological factors may be considered to promote the biological repair and avoid recurrence. The aim of the present study was to report the clinical results and the rate of recurrence of the cyst after minimum 2-year of follow up in a cohort of patients treated by meniscal repair and autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix augment.

Methods

Patients with lateral parameniscal cyst undergoing arthroscopic meniscal repair and autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix augment between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed in March 2021. Inclusion criteria were absence of prior surgery on the affected knee with minimum 2-year of follow-up. Exclusion criteria were concomitant ligament lesions, rheumatic diseases and knee osteoarthritis. After reviewing the database, each selected patient was contacted and asked to participate in the study; at the follow-up evaluation all patient signed an informed consent. Tegner-Lysholm knee score, IKDC and NRS were collected before surgery and at follow-up.

Results

This study included 15 patients (8 male) with mean age of 32.8 years old. No recurrence of the cysts was observed. The Tegner-Lysholm knee score and IKDC subjective scores increased respectively from 41.3 ± 5.4 and 37.6 ± 5.1 at baseline to 92.3 ± 4.6 and 89.4 ± 2.6 at the final follow up. Concerning pain relief, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) displayed a significant improvement reaching at the follow up a score of 1,3 ± 1.1 in comparison to 6.8 ± 0.9 at the baseline.

Conclusion

Surgical management of symptomatic lateral parameniscal cyst with cyst excision, autologous PRP membrane application and meniscus repair demonstrated excellent subjective clinical outcome with any cyst reoccurrence.

Level of evidence

III, retrospective cohort study.

Biologic Augmentation during Meniscal Repair

We reviewed the literature regarding utility of biologic augmentation in meniscal repair. We hypothesized that the addition of biologic augmentation during meniscal repair improves postoperative knee function and reduces risk of repair failure. PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched. Included studies were clinical studies in humans, published in English, and reported use of biologic augmentation techniques in addition to meniscal repair (including platelet-rich plasma [PRP], fibrin clot, bone marrow stimulation, meniscal wrapping, and bioscaffolds) for treatment of knee meniscal tears. Outcome measures included repair failure, repeat knee arthroscopic surgery, and magnetic resonance imaging), visual analog scale for pain, the International Knee Documentation Committee questionnaire, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Lysholm's Knee Scoring Scale, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Study quality was assessed using the modified Coleman methodology score. Nineteen studies reported repair of 1,092 menisci including six studies that investigated fibrin clot augmentation, five studies that investigated PRP augmentation, three studies that investigated bone marrow stimulation augmentation, two studies that used meniscal wrapping augmentation, and three studies that used other techniques. The level of evidence ranged from I to IV and mean modified Coleman methodology score was 43 (range: 17-69), with higher scores noted in studies completed in recent years. PRP and bone marrow stimulation augmentation appear to decrease risk of failure in patients undergoing isolated meniscal repair but do not improve knee symptom scores. Fibrin clot and trephination augmentation techniques do not have sufficient evidence to support decreased failure risk at this time. Meniscal wrapping augmentation and scaffold implantation augmentation appear to be an attractive option to meniscectomy in complicated tears that are not candidates for repair alone, but further confirmatory studies are needed to support initial data. Evidence supporting augmentation of meniscal repair is limited at this time but suggests that the highest likelihood for effectiveness of augmentation is in the settings of isolated meniscal repair or meniscal repairs that would normally not be amenable to repair.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation of Meniscal Repair in the Setting of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The increasing incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal injuries has led to strong interest in discovering new methods to enhance the biological healing response of these tissues. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains various growth factors associated with a positive healing response, but few existing clinical studies are available to determine the risks and benefits of these therapies.

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of intraoperative PRP on postoperative knee function and complications at 2 years after ACL reconstruction with meniscal repair.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

A retrospective matched case-control study was conducted between 2013 and 2017 using a single surgeon database of 1014 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with concomitant meniscal repair, resulting in 324 patients (162 PRP patients and 162 control patients) who met the study criteria. Patients were matched by age, sex, graft type, and meniscal injury. The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) was administered at 2 years, and injury surveillance was conducted. Secondary outcomes included the time to return to activity (months), self-reported knee function (International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] score), functional performance testing (knee range of motion, single-leg balance, single-leg hopping, agility testing), and postoperative complications (graft failure, infection, loss of motion [requiring repeat arthroscopy for lysis of adhesions], venous thrombosis, etc). Univariate models were used for between-group comparisons, and alpha was set at .05 for all analyses.

RESULTS

No differences were found in SANE knee function scores between the PRP and matched-control groups at 2 years (91.6 ± 11.2 vs 92.4 ± 10.6, respectively; P = .599). Additionally, no differences were reported between groups for self-reported function (IKDC score, 87.6 ± 13.3 vs 88.1 ± 12.6; P = .952), functional performance testing (P > .05), and timing of return to activity (7.8 ± 1.9 vs 8.0 ± 1.9 months; P = .765). The PRP group demonstrated a higher rate of postoperative knee motion loss compared with the control group (13.6% vs 4.6%; P < .001). No other differences were observed in postoperative complications (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

The added use of intraoperative PRP did not improve self-reported knee function, functional performance, and timing of return to activity for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with meniscal repair. Furthermore, the use of PRP may have negative consequences for regaining knee range of motion after surgery. On the basis of these data, surgeons should cautiously consider the application of PRP when planning surgery for intra-articular injuries of the knee.

REGISTRATION

NCT03704376 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix-Augmented Repair for Parameniscal Cysts: Surgical Technique

Parameniscal cysts are defined as an internal disorder of the knee joint. It is known that parameniscal cysts are associated with horizontal meniscal tears that could lead to the collection of synovial fluid within the cyst. Despite the treatment of meniscal tears, cyst recurrence is still an issue that needs to be addressed. In this regard, there has been an increasing interest in the use of biologic agents to enhance the vascularity and healing of the meniscus. Preliminary results for biologic therapeutic agents, such as growth factors, bone marrow, and aspirate concentrate, have been encouraging. However, these options are more demanding in regards to time, financial burden, resources, and so on. Autologous platelet-rich plasma is readily available, easy to use, affordable, and minimally invasive. This Technical Note will describe a step-by-step and reproducible technique for the harvesting, preparation, and use of an autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix used to augment the healing of meniscal repairs.

Meniscus Repair Techniques

The menisci play a vital role in maintaining knee function and protecting the chondral surfaces. Acute and chronic tears are common injuries among both young athletes and older patients with early degenerative changes. The progression of physiological derangement and chondral injury after meniscus injury and meniscectomy have prompted interest in expanding meniscus repair techniques. Recent literature encourages an attempt at repair in tear patterns previously declared irreparable if the tissue quality allows. The orthopedic surgeon should understand the multitude of techniques available to them and be prepared to combine techniques to optimize the quality of their repair construct. While biological augmentation may show some promising early results, the quality of the current data precludes strong recommendations in their favor.

The 2020 NBA Orthobiologics Consensus Statement

This 2020 NBA Orthobiologics Consensus Statement provides a concise summary of available literature and practical clinical guidelines for team physicians and players. We recognize that orthobiologic injections are a generally safe treatment modality with a significant potential to reduce pain and expedite early return to play in specific musculoskeletal injuries. The use of orthobiologics in sports medicine to safely reduce time loss and reinjury is of considerable interest, especially as it relates to the potential effect on a professional athlete. While these novel substances have potential to enhance healing and regeneration of injured tissues, there is a lack of robust data to support their regular use at this time. There are no absolutes when considering the implementation of orthobiologics, and unbiased clinical judgment with an emphasis on player safety should always prevail. Current best evidence supports the following: Key Points There is support for the use of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. There is support for consideration of using leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma for patellar tendinopathy. The efficacy of using mesenchymal stromal cell injections in the management of joint and soft tissue injuries remains unproven at this time. There are very few data to suggest that current cell therapy treatments lead to any true functional tissue regeneration. Meticulous and sterile preparation guidelines must be followed to minimize the risk for infection and adverse events if these treatments are pursued.Given the high variability in orthobiologic formulations, team physicians must stay up-to-date with the most recent peer-reviewed literature and orthobiologic preparation protocols for specific injuries.Evidence-based treatment algorithms are necessary to identify the optimal orthobiologic formulations for specific tissues and injuries in athletes.Changes in the regulatory environment and improved standardization are required given the exponential increase in utilization as novel techniques and substances are introduced into clinical practice.

Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Grade 3 Symptomatic Degenerative Meniscal Lesions: A 1-Year Follow-up Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been proposed as a biologic option to provide symptomatic relief and delay surgery in patients with degenerative joint disease of osteoarthritis (OA). The efficacy of autologous PRP on symptomatic degenerative meniscal lesions (DMLs) has never been investigated.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that patients with symptomatic DMLs without OA undergoing autologous PRP injections experience a significant clinical improvement at 12 months.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective case series.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

METHODS

A total of 69 patients with symptomatic DMLs without radiographic evidence of knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic grading scale 0-1) received 4 autologous PRP injections once a week. Patients were prospectively evaluated before the injection and then at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Evaluation was based on Lysholm knee scoring scale (primary outcome), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), Tegner activity scale, and visual analogue scale scores.

RESULTS

Patients treated with PRP injections demonstrated an improving knee function and symptoms over the duration of the study. A significant improvement from baseline to 12 months was observed in all the outcome measures, and no patients experienced failure or required surgery during the follow-up. Patients younger than 50 years reported lower subjective level of pain and higher Tegner activity scale at baseline and had significantly better Lysholm knee scoring scale (P = 0.03) and WOMAC (P = 0.03) scores at 6 months, as well as better range of motion at 3, 6, and 12 months (P < 0.001). Thirty-three (47.8%) patients were very satisfied, 26 (37.7%) satisfied, 8 (11.6%) partially satisfied, and 2 (2.9 %) not satisfied, with 62 (89.8%) patients willing to repeat the same treatment. No patient was lost to follow-up and no patient experienced adverse reaction, infection, failure, recurrence or underwent further surgery.

CONCLUSION

PRP injections provide short-term benefits in symptomatic DMLs. Although promising results were evident at 12 months, this is a preliminary study and no definitive recommendation can be made based, for example, on longer follow-up.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This research supports the use of autologous PRP injections for symptomatic DMLs.

The future of meniscus science: international expert consensus

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the main focus areas for research and development for furthering the state of meniscus science in 2021.

Methods

An electronic survey including 10 questions was sent in a blind fashion to the faculty members of the 5^th International Conference on Meniscus Science and Surgery. These faculty served as an expert consensus on the future of research and development areas of meniscus science. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ranking weighted averages were calculated to score survey questions.

Results

Of the 82 faculty, 76 (93%) from 18 different countries completed the survey (84% male, 16% female). The highest ranked future research and development focus areas were meniscus repair, biologics, osteotomy procedures, addressing meniscus extrusion, and the development of new therapies for the prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Currently, the most ‘valuable’ type of biologic reported for meniscus treatment was platelet-rich plasma. The main reported global research limitation was a lack of long-term clinical outcomes data. The most promising emerging medical technologies for improving meniscus science were 3-D printing, personalized medicine, and artificial implants.

Conclusions

This survey suggests that the future of meniscus science should be focused on meniscal preservation techniques through meniscus repair, addressing meniscal extrusion, and the use of orthobiologics. The lack of long-term clinical outcomes was the main reported research limitation globally for meniscus treatment. Future product development utilizing emerging medical technologies suggest the use of 3-D printing for meniscal transplants/scaffolds, personalized treatment, and bioengineering for artificial implants.

Level of Evidence

Level V.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40634-021-00345-y.

Favorable Reoperation Rate at 2 Years Following Repair of Horizontal Cleavage Tears Using an All Suture-Based Technique: A Prospective, Multicenter Trial

Purpose

This prospective, multicenter trial evaluates the clinical success (as measured by reoperation rates and improvements in patient-reported outcome measures) of using circumferential compression stitches with all-suture techniques for horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) of the meniscus.

Methods

Investigators enrolled 30 patients (mean age, 38.2 years; standard deviation, 11.1 years) aged 18 to 60 years with HCTs in the symptomatic compartment at 8 centers in the United States who underwent HCT repair with all-suture circumferential stitches using a self-retrieving all-inside suture passing device. Postoperative follow-up visits were conducted at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Study outcomes included freedom from reoperation of the index meniscus repair site; knee pain and function, as measured by International Knee Documentation Committee Knee evaluation (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Lysholm Knee Scale, and Tegner Activity Scale; and serious complications observed during the study. Minimal clinically important difference at 1 year was assessed for IKDC and Lysholm.

Results

Twenty-three patients had 2-year follow-up data available. Freedom from reoperation was 96.0% at 6 months (26/27, 91.7% at 1 year [23/25], and 82.6% at 2 years [19/23]). Significant improvement was observed in over baseline at 2 years for IKDC (36.7-82.5; P < .001), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (52.2-89.3; P < .001), Lysholm (50.2-87.4; P < .001), and Tegner scores (3.3-5.3; P = .007). Minimal clinically important difference was met or exceeded for IKDC and Lysholm scores at 1 year 69.2% and 65.4% of patients, respectively. Four patients (6.7%) experienced serious complications, of which 2 were assessed as being related to the procedure.

Conclusions

Repair of HCTs using all-suture circumferential stitches placed with a self-retrieving all-inside suture passing device leads to a favorable reoperation rate (17.4%), significant improvements in clinical outcomes, and an acceptable rate of serious complications (6.7%) at 2 years, supporting the viability of this treatment approach in this indication.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Meniscal Repair Techniques for Middle- and Posterior-Third Tears

Technical advancements in meniscal repairs have greatly contributed to the ability to repair a variety of meniscal tears that were once thought untreatable. The gold-standard treatment for arthroscopic meniscal body repair remains an inside-out technique. The advantages of this technique are innate to the low-profile nature of the suture-passing construct, which allows for perpendicular access to tears with the benefit of multiple fixation points, in contrast to often bulkier all-inside repair devices. This technique requires a posteromedial or posterolateral incision for safe suture passing and needle retrieval and necessitates a surgical team experienced in this method of repair. However, the newest generation of all-inside devices has allowed for more facile placement of a variety of suture types. The all-inside repair technique includes both capsular-based and meniscal-based fixation, is not limited by a need for additional experienced surgical personnel to pass and retrieve needles, and does not require additional incisions. Regardless of fixation type, meniscal repair has been shown to improve long-term functional scores when compared with meniscectomy. Additionally, biological adjuncts have been introduced into the repair algorithm to improve healing rates when performing isolated meniscal repairs. Preparing the healing site with abrasion or trephination creates vascular channels that can facilitate repair. Intercondylar-notch marrow venting attempts to replicate the environment created by anterior cruciate ligament drilling for which healing rates are notably higher than those with isolated meniscal repairs. The use of fibrin clots in inside-out meniscal repairs with suturing of the clot to the area of the tear has also shown promising early healing rates on both magnetic resonance imaging and second-look arthroscopy. Finally, biological adjuncts such as platelet-rich plasma and concentrated bone marrow aspirate have shown both early clinical and radiographic improvements in Level IV case series, but further research is needed to more definitively measure their utility in the setting of meniscal repair.

Biologic Augmentation Reduces the Failure Rate of Meniscal Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Clinical results after isolated meniscal repair are not always satisfactory, with an overall failure rate of around 25%. To improve the success rate of meniscal repair, different biologic augmentation techniques have been introduced in clinical practice, but their real efficacy is still controversial.

Purpose/Hypothesis

To evaluate the safety, clinical results, and failure rate of biologic augmentation techniques for meniscal repair. The hypothesis was that biologic augmentation would improve the results of meniscal repair.

Study Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed in March 2020 of 3 electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library) regarding meniscal repair combined with biologic augmentation techniques. Articles combining biologic augmentation with other surgical procedures besides meniscal suture were excluded. The quality of the included studies was assessed using a modified Coleman Methodology Score, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions) and the RoB 2.0 (Revised Tool for Risk of Bias in Randomized Trials) for nonrandomized and randomized controlled trials, respectively.

Results

A total of 11 studies were included in the qualitative analysis: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) augmentation in 6 comparatives studies, fibrin clot augmentation in 2 case series, and mesenchymal stem cells augmentation in 2 case series and 1 case report. One severe adverse event of septic arthritis was reported for PRP 1 month after surgery. The quality of evidence evaluated with the modified Coleman Methodology Score was low overall. Five studies reporting on 286 patients (111 PRP augmentation, 175 control) were included in the quantitative synthesis. A significantly lower risk of failure was documented in the PRP augmentation group as compared with the control group: 9.9% (4.5%-19.1%) versus 25.7% (12.7%-38.7%) (P < .0005).

Conclusion

The literature on biologic meniscal augmentation is recent and scarce. Only a few comparative trials are available, all focusing on the potential of PRP. The meta-analysis documented that PRP is safe and useful in improving the survival rate, with a 9.9% rate of failure versus 25.7% for the control group. Further high-level studies are needed to confirm these findings and identify the most effective biologic augmentation strategy to improve the outcome of meniscal repair.

Preparation Methods and Clinical Outcomes of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Intra-articular Hip Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Background:

Despite its increasing use in the management of musculoskeletal conditions, questions remain regarding the preparation methods of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its clinical applications for intra-articular hip disorders, including femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), labral pathology, and osteoarthritis (OA).

Purpose:

To systematically review and assess the preparation methods and clinical outcomes from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the use of PRP for intra-articular hip disorders.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A systematic review in accordance with the 2009 PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was performed in September 2019. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Embase were queried for studies regarding the use of PRP to treat intra-articular hip disorders. Qualifying articles were English-language RCTs describing the use of PRP for intra-articular hip disorders, either as standalone treatment or surgical augmentation. Two authors independently assessed article eligibility. Data pertaining to patient characteristics, indication for treatment, PRP preparation method, follow-up period, and clinical outcomes were extracted. Study results were qualitatively reported and quantitatively compared using meta-analysis when appropriate.

Results:

Seven RCTs met inclusion criteria. Four studies described the use of PRP for hip OA and 3 utilized PRP at arthroscopy for FAIS and labral tears. Outcomes after PRP for OA demonstrated improvement in validated patient-reported outcome measures for up to 1 year; however, pooled effect sizes found no statistically significant difference between PRP and hyaluronic acid (HA) regarding pain visual analog scale scores at short-term (≤2 months; P = .27), midterm (4-6 months; P = .85), or long-term (1 year; P = .42) follow-up. When injected at arthroscopy, 1 study reported improved outcomes, 1 reported no difference in outcomes, and 1 reported worse outcomes compared with controls. The meta-analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference on the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) between PRP and control cohorts at a minimum 1-year follow-up. There were considerable deficiencies and heterogeneity in the reporting of PRP preparation methods for both indications.

Conclusion:

Treatment of OA with PRP demonstrated reductions in pain and improved patient-reported outcomes for up to 1 year. However, there was no statistically significant difference between PRP and HA in pain reduction. Likewise, for FAIS and labral surgery there was no statistically significant difference in mHHS outcomes between patients treated with PRP and controls. Given the limited number of studies and variability in PRP preparations, additional high-quality randomized trials are warranted.

Clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma as adjuvant therapy in patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of meniscal injury

Objective

The clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as adjuvant therapy in patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of meniscal injury remains controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of PRP in the treatment of meniscal injury and provide evidence for the selection of clinical treatment options.

Methods

A computer-based search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed to retrieve articles using the search terms “platelet-rich plasma” and “menisci.” Quality evaluation and data extraction were performed. The combined effect was assessed using RevMan version 5.3 software.

Results

Three randomized controlled trials and three cohort studies involving 293 patients were included in the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in the International Knee Documentation Committee score or Lysholm score between the experimental and control groups. The failure rate and visual analog scale score were significantly lower and the degree of active flexion was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group.

Conclusion

The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that PRP injection can effectively enhance the efficacy of arthroscopic repair of meniscal injury, reduce the failure rate and severity of pain, and improve active flexion.

Surgical treatment of complex meniscus tear and disease: state of the art

The meniscus is important for load distribution, shock absorption and stability of the knee joint. Meniscus injury or meniscectomy results in decreased function of the meniscus and increased risk of knee osteoarthritis. To preserve the meniscal functions, meniscal repair should be considered as the first option for meniscus injury. Although reoperation rates are higher after meniscal repair compared with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, long-term follow-up of meniscal repair demonstrated better clinical outcomes and less severe degenerative changes of osteoarthritis compared with partial meniscectomy. In the past, the indication of a meniscal repair was limited both because of technical reasons and due to the localised vascularity of the meniscus. Meanwhile, it spreads today as the development of the concept to preserve the meniscus and the improvement of meniscal repair techniques. Longitudinal vertical tears in the peripheral third are considered the 'gold standard' indication in terms of meniscus healing. Techniques for meniscal repair include 'inside-out', 'outside-in' and 'all-inside' strategies. Surgical decision-making depends on the type, size and location of the meniscus injury. Meniscal root tears substantially affect meniscal hoop function and accelerate cartilage degeneration; therefore, meniscus root repair is necessary to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis change. For symptomatic meniscus defects after meniscectomy, transplantation of allograft or collagen meniscus implant may be indicated, and acceptable clinical results have been obtained. Recently, meniscus extrusion has attracted attention due to increased interest in early osteoarthritis. The centralisation techniques have been proposed to reduce the meniscus extrusion by suturing the meniscus-capsule complex to the edge of the tibial plateau. Long-term clinical outcomes of this procedure may change the strategy of treating meniscus extrusion. When malalignment of the lower leg is accompanied with meniscus pathologies, knee osteotomies are a reasonable option to protect the repaired meniscus by unloading the pathological compartment. Advancements in biological augmentation such as bone marrow stimulation, fibrin clot, platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy and scaffolds have also expanded the indications for meniscus surgery. In summary, improved repair techniques and biological augmentation have made meniscus repair more appealing to treat that had previously been considered irreparable. However, further research would be necessary to validate the efficacy of these specialised technique.

Patient Outcomes After Horizontal Cleavage Tear Repair: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical outcomes and survivorship of meniscal horizontal cleavage tear (HCT) repairs with hopes of guiding future treatment decisions.

METHODS

Standard systematic review methodology was used. A comprehensive search of PubMed was conducted on June 1, 2019. The inclusion criteria were articles that were published in English, involved human subjects, and reported on at least 1 outcome after repair of HCTs. The exclusion criteria included technique guides and reviews, studies without full text available, and studies with HCT outcomes not separated from other repair groups. Effect heterogeneity was determined using the I² measure. Forest plots were created in addition to a random-effects model to show the results.

RESULTS

The systematic review yielded 19 studies evaluating 289 knees in a total of 273 patients. At most recent follow-up, there was a high probability of return to sport (93.1% [67 of 72]). Overall, 74% of patients (67 of 90) were symptom free at last follow-up, and 80% expressed satisfaction with their overall result (80 of 100). The most frequently reported subjective outcome was the Lysholm score, which improved from a preoperative study range of 48 to 79 (I² = 20.7%, P = .283) to a postoperative study range of 56 to 99 (I² = 49%, P = .081). The next most commonly reported was the International Knee Documentation Committee subjective score, which improved from a preoperative study range of 16 to 49 (I² = 47.7%, P = .125) to a postoperative study range of 72 to 95 (I² = 0%, P = .660). An overall 11.7% reported risk of reoperation was found, with most cases involving revision meniscectomy. Rates of complications beyond fixation failure were overall very low, with infrequent reports of septic arthritis and transitory dysesthesia.

CONCLUSIONS

The short- to intermediate-term results of repair of HCTs are comparable to prior studies. Survivorship is comparable to repairs of other types of meniscal tears with high rates of return to sport and low complication rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV studies.

The Clinical Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Knee Disorders and Surgery-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In recent years, the interest in biological treatment of knee lesions has increased, especially the application of platelet-rich plasma is of particular note. The number of articles evaluating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) efficacy in the recovery of knee disorders and during knee surgery has exponentially increased over the last decade. A systematic review with meta-analyses was performed by assessing selected studies of local PRP injections to the knee joint. The study was completed in accordance with 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A multistep search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Clinicaltrials.gov was performed to identify studies on knee surgery and knee lesion treatment with PRP. Of the 4004 articles initially identified, 357 articles focusing on knee lesions were selected and, consequently, only 83 clinical trials were analyzed using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool to evaluate risk. In total, seven areas of meta-analysis reported a positive effect of PRP. Among them, 10 sub-analyses demonstrated significant differences in favor of PRP when compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). This study showed the positive effects of PRP, both on the recovery of knee disorders and during knee surgery; however further prospective and randomized studies with a higher number of subjects and with lower biases are needed.

Augmentation of Meniscal Repair With Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Systematic Review of Comparative Studies

Background:

The effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) augmentation for meniscal repair (MR) is unclear, as current evidence is limited to small, mostly nonrandomized studies.

Purpose:

To systematically review the literature to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MR with PRP augmentation.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase to identify studies (level of evidence 1-3) that compared the clinical efficacy of MR performed with versus without PRP. The search phrase used was platelet-rich plasma meniscus. Patients were assessed based on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Lysholm score, the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and treatment failure.

Results:

We identified 6 studies (2 studies with level 1 evidence; 4 studies with level 3 evidence) that met inclusion criteria, for a total of 309 patients undergoing MR with PRP (mean age, 31.9 years) and 445 patients without PRP augmentation (mean age, 29.6 years). The mean follow-up was 32.8 months (range, 12-72 months). Overall, 17.0% of PRP patients experienced MR failure compared with 22.1% of non-PRP patients. No differences in VAS, Lysholm, or subjective IKDC scores were found between groups except in 1 study, in which postoperative subjective IKDC scores were significantly better in the PRP group (P < .01). Another study found significantly better postoperative WOMAC scores among PRP patients, and 2 studies found significantly better KOOS subscores among PRP patients.

Conclusion:

There are a limited number of high-quality studies comparing outcomes and healing rates between patients undergoing MR with versus without PRP augmentation. Based on the available evidence, patients undergoing MR with PRP augmentation experience similar clinical outcomes at midterm follow-up when compared with conventional MR, and additional studies are needed to determine the efficacy of MR augmented with PRP.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Augmentation in Meniscal Repair Surgery: A Systematic Review of Comparative Studies

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature on meniscal repair surgery and assess functional and radiographic outcomes of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)-augmented repair compared with standard repair techniques.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was completed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. The inclusion criteria included all human studies testing PRP augmentation of meniscal repair written in the English language. All cadaveric, animal, and basic science studies were excluded from review. The quality of the included publications was assessed prior to data extraction through the Jadad score. Risk of bias was further determined by Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies (MINORS) and Cochrane risk-of-bias assessments. Heterogeneity in outcomes reported across studies was evaluated using I² statistic calculations.

RESULTS

A total of 5 studies (1 with Level I evidence; 1, Level II; and 3, Level III) met the inclusion criteria for this review, all comparing PRP augmentation of meniscal repair surgery versus meniscal repair with no augmentation. Overall quality and risk of bias in the included studies varied substantially (Jadad score, 1-5; Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies score, 7-18). Three comparative studies found no significant difference in outcome or failure, whereas the other two showed a significant improvement in PRP-augmented repairs at final follow-up. Two studies assessed healing with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging or second-look arthroscopy, with both showing significantly improved outcomes in the PRP-treated groups (P < .01 and P = .048). PRP preparation techniques and composition differed among all studies and were inconsistently reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In early and limited investigations, there is insufficient evidence to support PRP augmentation of meniscal repair surgery improving functional and radiographic outcomes and resulting in lower failure rates compared with standard repair techniques. There is considerable heterogeneity in the reporting and preparation of PRP used for augmentation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, systematic review of Level I to III studies.

Radiological and functional outcomes of ultrasound-guided PRP injections in intrasubstance meniscal degenerations

AIM

This retrospective study is aimed to analyze the effect of ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections on grade 2 intrasubstance meniscal degenerations (IMDs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen patients who underwent PRP injections for symptomatic grade 2 meniscal lesions were included in the study. All injections were performed with ultrasound in the degenerated menisci. Patients were evaluated with Lysholm score and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before the injection and after a mean of 32-month follow-up. T2-weighted MRI images were evaluated on sagittal by two authors as double-blind.

RESULTS

Lysholm score was found to be statistically significantly increased, and in 67% of the patients, grade 2 degenerations were improved to grade 1.

CONCLUSION

Intra-meniscal PRP injection under ultrasonography guidance provides good functional scores and radiological improvement in the patients with IMD.

The repair of horizontal cleavage tears yields higher complication rates compared to meniscectomy: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Horizontal cleavage tears of the meniscus (HCTs) are primarily degenerative in nature, and, however, can be the result of trauma. Such tears account for 12-35% of all tear patterns and can be treated by partial meniscectomy or arthroscopic repair. The purpose of this review was to systematically assess the outcomes and complications for patients undergoing the surgical treatment of HCTs.

METHODS

This review has been conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. The electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched from data inception to December 30, 2018 for articles addressing the surgical treatment of HCTs. The Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies was used to assess study quality. Data are presented descriptively.

RESULTS

Overall, 23 studies were identified, comprising of 702 patients (708 knees) with a mean age of 36.6 ± 9.9 years and a mean follow-up of 33.6 ± 19.6 months. The majority of patients were treated with a partial meniscectomy (59.0%), followed by repair (32.8%) and total meniscectomy (8.2%). Both meniscectomy and repair patients had improvements which surpassed minimal clinically important differences with regard to clinical (e.g. pain, function, daily living) and radiographic outcomes. The overall complication rate was 5.1%, primarily involving patients undergoing meniscal repair (12.9% of all knees undergoing a repair).

CONCLUSION

Although meniscal repair theoretically may provide improvement in biomechanical loading, patients undergoing repair had higher complication rates than those undergoing partial meniscectomy. Clinicians should consider the available implants in determining which tear patterns to repair and future studies with long-term follow-up are needed to investigate complications (e.g. secondary meniscal procedures) as well as the potential for delay in the development of osteoarthritis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Common Injuries of the Weekend Athlete

Each year increasing numbers of people participate in a wider variety of athletic endeavors. Unlike previous generations, many patients remain in these activities later into their lives, some well beyond retirement. As the population ages and their activities continue, they are subject to injury of various forms affecting all aspects of their bodies.

Meniscus Repair and Regeneration: A Systematic Review from a Basic and Translational Science Perspective

Meniscus injuries are among the most common athletic injuries and result in functional impairment in the knee. Repair is crucial for pain relief and prevention of degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis. Current treatments, however, do not produce long-term improvements. Thus, recent research has been investigating new therapeutic options for regenerating injured meniscal tissue. This review comprehensively details the current methodologies being explored in the basic sciences to stimulate better meniscus injury repair. Furthermore, it describes how these preclinical strategies may improve current paradigms of how meniscal injuries are clinically treated through a unique and alternative perspective to traditional clinical methodology.

Meniscal Repair Techniques

The menisci play a vital role in knee joint stability, load distribution, and lubrication, protecting the joint surfaces from degenerative change. Meniscal repair protects the joint from increased loading and when successful reduces progression of osteoarthritis. Successful repair involves accurate surgical techniques, guarded postoperative rehabilitation, and potential use of additional biologics to promote healing. An integrated approach to meniscal surgery is required as part of an overall strategy to preserve and restore knee function, preserving meniscal tissue whenever possible. This article reviews the repair techniques: procedures, indications, and rehabilitation for meniscal repair.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Reduces Failure Risk for Isolated Meniscal Repairs but Provides No Benefit for Meniscal Repairs With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the risk of meniscal repair failure is unclear. Current evidence is limited to small studies without comparison between isolated repairs and meniscal repairs with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. It is also unclear whether the efficacy of PRP differs between preparation systems in the setting of meniscal repair.

PURPOSE

(1) To determine whether intraoperative PRP affects the risk of meniscal repair failure. (2) To determine whether the effect of PRP on meniscal failure risk is influenced by ACL reconstruction status or by PRP preparation system.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

The study entailed 550 patients (mean ± SD age, 28.8 ± 11.2 years) who underwent meniscal repair surgery with PRP (n = 203 total; n = 148 prepared with GPS III system, n = 55 prepared with Angel system) or without PRP (n = 347) and with (n = 399) or without (n = 151) concurrent ACL reconstruction. The patients were assessed for meniscal repair failure within 3 years. The independent effect of PRP on the risk of meniscal repair failure was determined by multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling with adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, ACL status, tear pattern, tear vascularity, repair technique, side (medial or lateral), and number of sutures or implants used.

RESULTS

Failures within 3 years occurred in 17.0% of patients without PRP and 14.6% of patients with PRP (P = .60) (Angel PRP, 15.9%; GPS III PRP, 14.2%; P = .58). Increased patient age was protective against meniscal failure regardless of ACL or PRP status (per 5-year increase in age: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81-1.0; P = .047). The effect of PRP on meniscal failure risk was dependent on concomitant ACL injury status. Among isolated meniscal repairs (20.3% failures at 3 years), PRP was independently associated with lower risk of failure (aHR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.03-0.59; P = .002) with no difference between PRP preparation systems (P = .84). Among meniscal repairs with concomitant ACL reconstruction (14.1% failures at 3 years), PRP was not independently associated with risk of failure (aHR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.81-2.36; P = .23) with no difference between PRP preparation systems (P = .78).

CONCLUSION

Both PRP preparations used in the current study had a substantial protective effect in terms of the risk of isolated meniscal repair failure over 3 years. In the setting of concomitant ACL reconstruction, PRP does not reduce the risk of meniscal repair failure.

Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in arthroscopic repair for discoid lateral meniscus tears

Background

To evaluate the clinical results of arthroscopic repair with or without platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for tears of the discoid lateral meniscus (DLM).

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with DLM tears within a stable knee were arthroscopically treated with meniscal suture repair. Of those, 14 were augmented with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and 15 were performed without PRP augmentation. Patients were evaluated at baseline (the day before surgery) and then 12 and 24 months after the last injection. Evaluation included the Lysholm score, and Ikeuchi grade, Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain and failure rate. Failure was defined by patients developing symptoms of joint line pain, locking, swelling or requiring repeat arthroscopy.

Results

There was no difference in the failure rate in the PRP group (1 of 14) compared with the non-PRP group (2 of 15) (P = 0.58). Statistically significant improvement in Lysholm score, Ikeuchi grade and VAS for pain was documented at the last follow-up compared with baseline in both PRP and non-PRP group. No significantly difference was found between the PRP group and non-PRP group on Lysholm score, Ikeuchi grade and VAS for pain at the last follow-up. In the univariate analysis of each variable, younger age (P = 0.036) and longer follow-up duration (P = 0.043) were statistically associated with a better function improvement. Whereas in multivariate analysis, only younger age (P = 0.004) was significantly associated with a better function improvement.

Conclusion

With regard to clinical evaluations in arthroscopic repair for DLM tears, PRP group had similar effect in pain relief and functional improvement to non-PRP group at mid-term follow-up. Future larger prospective studies with a longer follow-up are needed to determine whether PRP should be used with DLM repair.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for the Treatment of Avascular Meniscus Tears in a One-Step Procedure-Evaluation of an In Vivo Model

Avascular meniscus tears show poor intrinsic regenerative potential. Thus, lesions within this area predispose the patient to developing knee osteoarthritis. Current research focuses on regenerative approaches using growth factors or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to enhance healing capacity within the avascular meniscus zone. The use of MSCs especially as progenitor cells and a source of growth factors has shown promising results. However, present studies use bone-marrow-derived BMSCs in a two-step procedure, which is limiting the transfer in clinical praxis. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate a one-step procedure using bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), containing BMSCs, for inducing the regeneration of avascular meniscus lesions. Longitudinal meniscus tears of 4 mm in size of the lateral New Zealand White rabbit meniscus were treated with clotted autologous PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or BMAC and a meniscus suture or a meniscus suture alone. Menisci were harvested at 6 and 12 weeks after initial surgery. Macroscopical and histological evaluation was performed according to an established Meniscus Scoring System. BMAC significantly enhanced regeneration of the meniscus lesions in a time-dependent manner and in comparison to the PRP and control groups, where no healing could be observed. Treatment of avascular meniscus lesions with BMAC and meniscus suturing seems to be a promising approach to promote meniscus regeneration in the avascular zone using a one-step procedure.