The frequency of cartilage lesions in non-injured knees with symptomatic meniscus tears: results from an arthroscopic and NIR- (near-infrared) spectroscopic investigation

Abstract

Through our investigations, a high, if not complete, concomitance of degenerative cartilage lesions and degenerative meniscus damage was demonstrated. From this it can be concluded that the entity of "isolated degenerative meniscus damage" clearly does not exist in practice. It is therefore highly probable that degenerative meniscus lesions, as a part of general joint degeneration, are to be interpreted in the context of the development of arthrosis. The practical consequences still are unclear. Patients after partial meniscectomy need a longer follow-up to detect potential cartilage lesions as well as an OA progression.

Arthroscopic Determination of Cartilage Proteoglycan Content and Collagen Network Structure with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

“…Spahn et al and Hofmann et al have previously applied NIRS in human arthroscopies14,32 and compared the reliability of the technique with scores from other modalities. Specifically, Spahn et al reported spectral changes with varying severity of cartilage lesions32 and Hofmann et al showed that NIRS values (based on a ratio of two spectral peaks14,31,32) correlate with KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score24). The NIRS value varied between 0 (degenerated cartilage) and 100 (healthy cartilage) and was suggested to indicate diminished stiffness17,33 and altered water content 31,33.…”

“…Several quantitative techniques, including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS, 0.7–2.5 µ m) and mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS, 2.5–15 µ m), have been suggested for evaluating cartilage properties, such as biomechanical properties,25,27 cartilage thickness,25 and biochemical composition,2 in several in vitro studies. Clinical application of NIRS has only been presented in few studies31,32; however, these studies are limited by the use of simplistic univariate analysis techniques, in which the ratio of two spectral peaks at 1175 and 1425 nm is evaluated 31,32. These spectroscopic techniques enable non-destructive in situ evaluation without the need for sample extraction and are sensitive to specific bond vibrations common in biological materials 10.…”

The Effects of Posterior Tibial Mobilization on Meniscal Movement: An in-Situ Investigation

“…12 Additionally, meniscal injury can change knee movement mechanics and loading patterns, thus stressing articular cartilage. [35][36][37][38] Such changes can lead to further meniscal problems. Investigators have observed significant changes in the anterior posterior meniscal movements related to architectural abnormalities that accompany knee joint pathology.…”

Actual aspects of treatment of meniscus inju

“…Чаще всего они локализовались в области надколенника -43,8 % случаев. Между пациентами с повреждениями медиального или латерального мениска не было выявлено существенных различий в локализации хрящевых повреждений [50].…”