Meniscal repair and reconstruction.

Meniscus injuries are one of the most commonly encountered problems by orthopaedic surgeons today. Surgical techniques for the treatment of meniscal tears are evolving. While many tears can only be treated with partial menisectomy, there are an increasing number of surgical techniques to repair or reconstruct the meniscus. Because of the large increases in contact pressures across the articular cartilage due to loss of meniscal tissue, there has been increased focus on preventing the development of degenerative joint disease from meniscal injuries requiring partial or subtotal menisectomy. Some of these newer techniques include allografts, scaffolds, collagen implants, and repair enhancements. The common goal of these newer techniques is to preserve or restore as much normal, functioning meniscal tissue as possible. This review aims to review the various techniques and history of meniscus repair as well as examine of the newer techniques being introduced to reconstruct or replace the meniscus.