Polyurethane scaffold in lateral meniscus segmental defects: clinical outcomes at 24 months follow-up

BACKGROUND: Segmental tissue loss in the lateral meniscus is associated with pain and increased risk of osteoarthritis even when indications have been carefully considered. HYPOTHESIS: Repairing the defect using a novel biodegradable scaffold will reduce pain and restore the knee function. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study, a total of 54 patients (37 males/17 females; mean age: 28 years [16-50]) were enrolled. All patients presented with postmeniscectomy syndrome and segmental lateral meniscus loss, and were treated with a polyurethane biodegradable scaffold (Actifit(®), Orteq) implanted arthroscopically. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 6, 12 and 24 months using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). RESULTS: VAS decreased from 5.5 at baseline to 3.6 at 6 months, 3.4 at 12 months and 2.9 at 24 months. IKDC improved from 47.0 at baseline to 60.2, 67.0 and 67.0 at 6, 12 and 24 months. All KOOS subscores improved between baseline and 24 months. DISCUSSION: Clinical results of this study demonstrate clinically and statistically significant improvements of pain and function scores (VAS, IKDC, and all KOOS subscales except sport), at the 6 months follow-up and on all clinical outcomes at the 2-year follow-up. The Actifit(®) scaffold is safe and effective in treating lateral meniscus defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: continuous prospective multicenter study.