Degeneration alters the biomechanical properties and structural composition of lateral human menisci.

Objective: Because the literature relating to the influence of degeneration on the viscoelasticity and tissue composition of human lateral menisci remains contradictory or completely lacking, the aim of this study was to fill these gaps by comprehensively characterising the biomechanical properties of menisci with regard to the degree of degeneration.

Design: Meniscal tissue from 24 patients undergoing a total knee replacement was collected and the degeneration of each region classified according to Pauli et al. For biomechanical characterisation, compression and tensile tests were performed.

A biomechanical comparison of two plating techniques in lateral clavicle fractures.

Background: Neer Type IIb lateral clavicle fractures typically lead to dislocation of the medial fragment. Therefore, most surgeons recommend surgical treatment for such a fracture pattern. The use of a locking compression plate with a lateral extension has produced satisfactory results in various studies over recent years.

Friction properties of a new silk fibroin scaffold for meniscal replacement.

The menisci protect the articular cartilage by reducing contact pressure in the knee. To restore their function after injury, a new silk fibroin replacement scaffold was developed. To elucidate its tribological properties, friction of the implant was tested against cartilage and glass, where the latter is typically used in tribological cartilage studies.