Histological features of meniscal injury

Background: Meniscus tissue is highly susceptible to injury and tears. As these are intrasynovial and lack cellularity, their healing potential is less. Any knowledge to the factors affecting the meniscal healing can help surgeons in treating meniscal injuries. Hypothesis: Patient age is a predictor of the healing of meniscus tissue. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: Gross and histologic evaluation of torn meniscus tissue from 30 patients and 10 control menisci were performed. Histologic scoring system was used to access the tissue healing Results: Patients’ age had a significant effect on the healing intention of the torn meniscus, with patients older than 40 years having significantly fewer meniscus cells than did those younger than 40 years. Further studies are needed to define the relative importance of the individual histologic findings in the clinical setting of meniscus tear and repair. Clinical Relevance: Our findings show that menisci from patients older than 40 years may be more vulnerable to degeneration and re tear after repair than are menisci of younger patients.