Review of Meniscus Anatomy and Biomechanics

Abstract

Purpose of review: Anatomic repair of meniscal pathology is critical for restoring native joint biomechanics and kinematics for patients who suffer from meniscal tears. The purpose of this review was to summarize the pertinent anatomy, biomechanics, and kinematics of the meniscus to guide surgeons during meniscal repair procedures.

Recent findings: Over the past decade, there has been a growing trend to save the meniscus whenever possible. The goal of repair should be to recreate native anatomy as close as possible to recapitulate normal mechanics. Studies describing the quantitative and qualitative relationship of the meniscus roots, ligaments, and attachments are key in guiding any meniscus repair. This review summarizes these relationships, with particular emphasis on meniscal roots and other key attachments to the meniscus. The composition, embryology, vascularization, biomechanics, in vivo kinetics, and in vivo kinematics of the meniscus are also discussed in this review. Meniscal tears can cause profound functional, biomechanical, and kinematic derangements within the knee joint leading to accelerated degeneration of the articular cartilage. A strong understanding of the quantitative and qualitative relationships of the meniscus and its attachments with key arthroscopic landmarks will allow a surgeon to anatomically repair meniscal pathology in order to restore native joint biomechanics.

Keywords: Anatomy; Knee; Meniscus.