Report on Evolving Indications, Technique, and Outcomes of Novel And Surgical Procedures-NUsurface

Meniscectomy alters knee function and known to be associated with an increased incidence of knee arthritis. Several methods and materials have been tried to replicate the function of a meniscus. One is a polycarbonate-urethane synthetic medial meniscus implant labeled as NUsurface. It is a non-anchored implant that is meant to replace the native meniscus. This article is intended to give an overview of the NUsurface implant and the experience to date.

The NUsurface implant is not intended to be a substitute for arthroplasty but has indications similar to meniscal allografts. It has had both prospective double armed and single armed prospective studies. Follow up at the 2-year mark has shown the implant can be successful in decreasing patients' pain and improving function. However, the reoperation rate has been high with a little over a 1/3 requiring an additional procedure and 30% requiring implant exchanged. With improved surgical technique and knowledge of contributing anatomic variables, the reoperation rate has been decreased by half. The synthetic medial meniscus implant NUsurface is able to improve the quality of life in select patients that are symptomatic after meniscectomy. The reoperation rate is of concern but it is decreasing as we refine the variables contributing to the high rate.