A review of preclinical and clinical studies using synthetic materials for meniscus replacement.

The emerging field of tissue engineering holds the promise to use bio-materials for meniscus injury repair, namely scaffold or meniscus implant. Many implants have been studied and several studies have been conducted to verify the safety and quality of scaffolds. Preliminary data support the idea that synthetic implants can provide an alternative to menyscectomy helping to preserve the cartilage and preventing arthritis in patient with menisci injuries. However, the prevalence of postoperative complications varies within studies. Further investigations are required to evaluate the role of these materials in the clinical practice.