The Menisci, Robert F. LaPrade,Elizabeth A. Arendt,Alan Getgood,Scoot C. Faucett, Editör, Springer, London/Berlin , Berlin, ss.155-164, 2017
Meniscal tears are usually classified into two
main categories: traumatic and degenerative
(non-traumatic). However, degenerative meniscal
lesions can be subdivided into primary degenerative meniscal lesions and meniscal lesions in
osteoarthritic knees [1].
Meniscal mucoid degeneration (MD) – a condition that has generally been ignored – is likely
to be responsible for the primary meniscal degeneration. Myxoid or cystic degeneration is also
used for the same pathologic entity. Mucoid
degeneration deserves special attention because
it may be seen at a younger age, and it may be
responsible for a non-traumatic tear of the meniscus which is not repairable; the process may end
up with the loss of the meniscus at a young age.
In our series of consecutive patients, the average
age of the patients with meniscal mucoid degeneration was 28 years (range 16–68); 17 of 23
patients were under 40 years [2].
Meniscus degeneration in osteoarthritic knees
usually occurs in middle and advanced ages; it is
assumed that the prevalence increases with age.
The prevalence in women aged 50–59 years and
in men aged 70–90 could reach 16 and 50 %,
respectively [3]. Once the meniscus loses some
of its critical function due to degeneration, the
increased biomechanical loading patterns on
joint cartilage may result in accelerated cartilage
loss [4, 5]. Meniscal cysts are associated with meniscal
mucoid degeneration [2, 6, 7]. These cysts are
commonly found in young and middle-aged
patients [8]. Therefore, it is an important clinical
entity.
One of the aims of this chapter is to draw
attention to mucoid degeneration of the meniscus due to its serious implications in younger
patients.