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World J Orthop. Nov 18, 2014; 5(5): 597-602
Published online Nov 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i5.597
Published online Nov 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i5.597
Degenerative meniscus: Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment options
Richard Howell, Neil S Kumar, Nimit Patel, James Tom, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
Author contributions: Howell R, Kumar NS, Patel N and Tom J designed the research, performed the research, analyzed the data; Howell R, Kumar NS and Patel N wrote the paper; all the authors approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to: Richard Howell, MD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States. howellrichards@gmail.com
Telephone: +1-215-7622663 Fax: +1-215-7622663
Received: January 24, 2014
Revised: April 6, 2014
Accepted: July 17, 2014
Published online: November 18, 2014
Revised: April 6, 2014
Accepted: July 17, 2014
Published online: November 18, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The healing potential of chronic degenerative menisci remains poor. Persistent hoop and shear stresses create complex tears in the posterior horn and midbody. Conservative treatment with anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy may provide pain relief and improve mechanical knee function. For patients refractory to conservative therapy, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy can provide short-term pain relief when combined with a physiotherapy program. Surgery, however, is not a guaranteed success, especially in the presence of articular pathology. Long-term outcomes of surgical or non-surgical treatment have been shown to be similar for most patient subsets.