Meniscal damage results in higher peak stress on the articular cartilage and leads to cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis. Thus, in recent years there has been an increasing tendency to “save
the meniscus” and to repair meniscal defects. However, this is not always possible and restoring
meniscal function using scaffolds fulfills this gap. This approach requires the physical presence
of an artificial meniscus to allow successful migration and colonization with precursor cells and
vessels that lead to the development of organized meniscal tissue. Two meniscal scaffolds are
currently available; 1 composed of aliphatic polyurethane named Actifit (Orteq Sports Medicine,
Ltd.), and one based on collagen type I fibers called Collagen Meniscus Implant (Stryker Kalamazoo). Both provide an effective and safe solution to treat symptomatic patients with segmental
meniscus mid-substance defects. Indeed, recent studies have demonstrated their ability to significantly improve patient satisfaction and clinical evaluation in the mid- to long-term. As such,
these approaches hold great promise as a meniscus preservation option to facilitate long-term
knee health.
