Meniscus Injury and its Surgical Treatment Does not Increase Initial Whole Knee Joint Friction.

While it is generally accepted that traumatic meniscus pathologies lead to degenerative articular cartilage changes in the mid-to long-term and consecutively to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), very little is known about how such injuries initiate tribological changes within the knee and their possible impact on PTOA acceleration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of three different medial meniscus states (intact, posterior root tear, total meniscectomy) on the initial whole knee joint friction. Six ovine knee joints were tested in a passive pendulum friction testing device under an axial load of 250 N and an initial deflection of 12°, representing swing phase conditions, and under an axial load of 1000 N and an initial deflection of 5°, simulating stance phase conditions.

Forces at the Anterior Meniscus Attachments Strongly Increase Under Dynamic Knee Joint Loading.

Background: The anatomic appearance and biomechanical and clinical importance of the anterior meniscus roots are well described. However, little is known about the loads that act on these attachment structures under physiological joint loads and movements.

Hypotheses: As compared with uniaxial loading conditions under static knee flexion angles or at very low flexion-extension speeds, more realistic continuous movement simulations in combination with physiological muscle force simulations lead to significantly higher anterior meniscus attachment forces.

Do Prophylactic Knee Braces Protect the Knee Against Impacts or Tibial Moments? An In Vitro Multisensory Study.

Background: Knee braces are prescribed by physicians to protect the knee from various loading conditions during sports or after surgery, even though the effect of bracing for various loading scenarios remains unclear.

Purpose: To extensively investigate whether bracing protects the knee against impacts from the lateral, medial, anterior, or posterior directions at different heights as well as against tibial moments.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.