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Published on: April 30, 2014
Meniscal tissue engineering: Bridging clinical needs and experimental innovation
Saijiao Lan1, Hongmei Liu1, Decheng Wu1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
Journal of Orthopaedic Translation
|July 19, 2026
Summary
Tissue engineering offers a promising solution for meniscal injuries, addressing limitations of current treatments. This review explores biomaterials and manufacturing for improved meniscus repair and clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Meniscal injuries cause significant knee dysfunction and pain, with current treatments like surgery and conservative methods showing long-term limitations.
- Incomplete healing and persistent pain remain challenges, highlighting the need for advanced therapeutic strategies.
- Tissue engineering, utilizing biomaterials, cells, and growth factors, shows potential for meniscus repair but faces hurdles in clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To bridge clinical needs with engineering strategies for meniscus repair through tissue engineering.
- To provide a comprehensive understanding of meniscus structure, function, and current treatment limitations.
- To offer insights for developing novel meniscus products and accessible therapeutic solutions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of macroscopic and microscopic meniscus structure and physiological functions.
- Comprehensive review of pathological characteristics of degenerative and traumatic meniscal tears.
- Systematic evaluation of existing therapeutic approaches, identifying clinical bottlenecks and unmet needs.
- Outline of biomaterial properties and manufacturing technologies, comparing their performance against human meniscus demands.
- Discussion of prospects and challenges in tissue engineering for meniscal therapy.
Main Results:
- Established a theoretical foundation for innovative meniscal repair strategies and biomimetic meniscus construction.
- Identified specific treatment bottlenecks and unmet clinical needs to guide future research designs.
- Provided empirical references for material selection and fabrication techniques in next-generation meniscus product development.
- Highlighted the translational potential of tissue engineering for enhanced meniscal repair outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Tissue engineering holds significant promise for advancing meniscal repair beyond current limitations.
- Addressing biomechanical strength, regenerative capacity, and durability are key to successful clinical translation.
- This review provides a framework for developing effective, biomimetic meniscus products and personalized treatment protocols.
