Knee meniscus regenerated with 3d implant?

EXTER, NH – When it comes to a torn knee meniscus, there’s not much that orthopaedic physicians can do to regenerate that meniscus. A damaged meniscus can be replaced with a meniscal transplant by using tissue from other parts of the body, but this procedure has a lower success rate and has significant risks.

However, medical researchers at Columbia University have figured out a way to replace the knee meniscus using a 3D-printed implant infused with human growth factors that allow the body to regenerate lining on its own. This could potentially provide the first effective and long-lasting repair of damaged menisci.

Access Sports medicine & Orthopaedics’ Dr. Joshua Siegel specializes in knee repair and agrees the future of orthoaedics is being driven by technology and scientific advancements.

“Biologic repairs that may be customized through the use of 3D printing opens up possibilities for customized regenerative procedures that do not exist today. I believe over the next decade, the integration of scientific fields to benefit advancement of medical treatments will fundamentally change how we deliver healthcare,” he said.

To read the entire research article, click here.