Research progress on artificial meniscus implants

Abstract

Meniscus injury has been one of the most common knee injuries in current society. The research on artificial meniscus implants as substitutes in meniscus reconstruction therapy has become global focus in order to solve clinical problems such as irreparable meniscus injury and symptoms after full or partial meniscectomy. At present, researches on artificial meniscus implants mainly focus on biodegradable meniscus scaffolds and non-biodegradable meniscus substitutes. Although the commercialized meniscal implants, such as CMI ®, Actifit ® and NUsurface ®, have been applied in the clinical, none of them can perfectively restore or permanently replace the natural meniscus tissue, effectively solve the symptoms after meniscectomy, and prevent cartilage degenerative diseases. The research progress, application, advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of artificial meniscus implants are reviewed in this manuscript, and the prospect is provided.