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Regional Nutrition and Cellularity of the Meniscus

Implications for Tear and Repair

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Summary

The knee menisci are relatively avascular and must rely to a large degree on synovial sources of nutrition. Lack of nutrition may lead to degenerative changes and may inhibit any potential repair capabilities of the menisci. Continuous passive motion applied to the knee stimulates greater activity and/or transport of nutrients to the meniscal fibrochon-drocytes. However, in an avascular model, solutes within the synovial fluid are lost by their convective transport from the joint. Regional differences in transport of a low molecular weight nutrient like sodium sulphate exist such that cells in the central core region of the meniscus are poorly supplied with nutrients by the synovial fluid and/or are less active. These conditions may be the cause of a relatively high incidence of degenerative changes in the central core region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Veterans Administration and University of California Medical Centers (112D), 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA

    D. H. Gershuni, A. R. Hargens & L. A. Danzig

Authors
  1. D. H. Gershuni
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  2. A. R. Hargens
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  3. L. A. Danzig
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Gershuni, D.H., Hargens, A.R. & Danzig, L.A. Regional Nutrition and Cellularity of the Meniscus. Sports Medicine 5, 322–327 (1988). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-198805050-00004

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-198805050-00004

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