# MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF THE HEALED MENISCUS

> **NIH NIH R01** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $21,413

## Abstract

The removal of the meniscus from the knee joint as a remedy for internal
derangement is the third most common orthopaedic procedure performed.  It
is a common injury to anyone who kneels or squats during the course of his
or her work and to athletically inclined people.  In particular, it is a
significant injury to miners and tradesmen (carpenters, plumbers, etc.) and
to people actively engaged in sports.  The effects of meniscectomy have
been shown to significantly increase the possibility of joint degeneration.

In order to restore the normal load transmission and energy absorbing
capabilities of the meniscus, it has been proposed that the torn meniscus
be surgically repaired and not removed.  Therefore, it is the objective of
this study to determine the mechanical properties of the repaired and
healed meniscus.  The strength of the healed meniscus will be evaluated
with respect to 1) the time of injury to the time of repair, 2) the time
the meniscus is allowed to heal, and 3) its morphological composition.

In order to make this study clinically relevant, bovine menisci, of
approximately human dimensions, and canine meniscus will be transected
arthroscopically.  At specific time intervals after the simulated injury,
the meniscus will be arthroscopically repaired and allowed to heal.  This
is relevant to atheletes who injure their meniscus and are operated on a
few days later.  The repaired meniscus will be removed and mechanical and
histological evaluations performed.  Statistical analysis will be performed
to determine the differences and significance of each time variable on the
healed meniscus compared to control, normal tissue.

The significance of this research is that it will make possible a
quantitative determination of the feasibility of repairing torn menisci.
The immediate clinical relevancy of this research is that it will provide
new information to the orthopaedic surgeon for the treatment and management
of meniscal injuries.  The anticipated long term benefits will be a
reduction in the incidence of degenerative joint disease and a parallal
reduction in the number of work days lost to the complications of
degenerative joint diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157991
- **Project number:** 5R01AR037259-03
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** MLQFL4JSSAA9
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM R. KRAUSE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $21,413
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-30 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157991

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157991, MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF THE HEALED MENISCUS (5R01AR037259-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157991. Licensed CC0.

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