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Meniscal Repair and Replacement

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Traumatic Disorders of the Knee

Abstract

The menisci are C-shaped disks of fibrocartilage interposed between the condyles of the femur and tibia. Once described as the functionless remains of leg muscle,1 the menisci were relegated to an obscure role within the knee and were often removed with impunity. Unfortunately, the importance of the menisci to the well-being of the knee was often appreciated only after they were removed and the attendant degenerative joint changes became evident.2–5 Subsequent clinical and basic science studies defined the critical role of the menisci in the complex biomechanics of the knee and underscored the importance of preserving these structures whenever possible.3–21

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Arnoczky, S.P., Dodds, J., Cooper, D.E. (1994). Meniscal Repair and Replacement. In: Siliski, J.M. (eds) Traumatic Disorders of the Knee. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4310-6_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4310-6_19

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