Treatment of Meniscal Injuries in the Knee

Once thought to be a functionless, vestigial structure, the meniscus is known to be an important load bearing and shock-absorbing structure in the knee. The lateral meniscus absorbs 70% of the load in the lateral compartment and the medial meniscus absorbs 50% of the load in the medial compartment. In addition, it has a secondary role in stabilization of the knee in conjunction with the major ligamentous restraints. Vascular supply to the meniscus is provided by branches from the geniculate arteries that penetrate into approximately 10–30% of its periphery through permeniscal capillary channels (Figure I). The remainder of the meniscus obtains nutrition through diffusion or mechanical pumping.