Collagen-Based Scaffolds for Meniscal Repair and Regeneration

Sep 29, 2026

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Meniscal injuries remain a major clinical challenge because avascular regions have limited self-healing capacity and current repair strategies often yield unsatisfactory long-term outcomes. Collagen is the key structural component of meniscal extracellular matrix (ECM), supporting biomechanical integrity and guiding regeneration. This review consolidates recent advances in collagen scaffold technologies, covering materials, collagen extraction, fabrication methods, and cellular in vivo interactions. Mechanical improvement via crosslinking and synthetic-polymer reinforcement, plus controlled degradation and biological integration are discussed, alongside ongoing issues in durability and stability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Meniscal injury burden and tear types

Current treatment trends and surgical principles

The Physiological Structure and Function of the Meniscus

Composition of the meniscus and cellular sources

Zonal vascularity and ECM composition

Wiley Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Volume 2025, Article ID 3446671, 20 pages [https://doi.org/10.1155/term/3446671](https://doi.org/10.1155/term/3446671) Review Article Collagen-Based Scaffolds for Meniscal Repair and Regeneration Yizhuo Wang and Jenny Shepherd School of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicestershire, Leicester, UK Correspondence should be addressed to Yizhuo Wang; [yw551@leicester.ac.uk](yw551@leicester.ac.uk) Received 22 July 2025; Revised 14 November 2025; Accepted 6 December 2025 Academic Editor: Catherine K. Kuo Copyright © 2025 Yizhuo Wang and Jenny Shepherd. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Tis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Meniscal injuries present a signifcant clinical challenge due to the limited self-healing capacity of avascular regions and the unsatisfactory long-term outcomes of current repair strategies. Collagen, the primary structural component of the meniscal extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a crucial role in maintaining its biomechanical integrity and guiding tissue regeneration. Tis review summarizes recent advances in collagen scafolds technology, focusing on materials, collagen extraction, and scafold fabrication methods, as well as their in vivo interactions with cells that regulate tissue regeneration. Te mechanical enhancement of collagen scafolds through crosslinking and reinforcement with synthetic polymers is discussed, alongside strategies for controlled degradation and biological integration. Despite remaining challenges in mechanical durability and long-term stability, these developments position collagen-based scafolds as a promising avenue toward clinically viable meniscal repair solutions. Keywords: collagen scafolds; meniscal repair; tissue engineering 1. Introduction Meniscal tears are a common type of knee injury, afecting 60 to 70 individuals per 100,000 people each year. In the United Kingdom, approximately 70,000 people are hospitalized annually due to this injury, while in the United States, this fgure is nearly fve times higher [1] . Meniscal tears can be categorized by location and type and may occur in younger patients as a result of acute knee trauma or in older adults as part of the degenerative aging process. Acute meniscal tears frequently occur when a patient, with a fexed knee and planted foot, changes direction in a twisting or pivoting motion—an injury pattern common in sports with intense running and disguised movement. Degenerative meniscal tears, however, may occur with minimal trauma, asthe meniscus becomes increasingly rigid and less compliant with age [2] . Due to the structural complexity of the meniscus and the variability of tear patterns, self-repair of most meniscus injuries is not feasible. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) involves the excision of damaged meniscal tissue, allowing for a smoother knee joint surface while preserving stable portions of the meniscus to maintain its function [3] . However, postoperative risks of osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration have led to more conservative approaches in meniscus injury management. In a survey among surgeons, an increase in meniscal repair procedures was noted, with APM procedures reduced by 85% . National trends indicate a decrease in APM rates over the past two decades in countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, and Japan, alongside a substantial increase in repair rates [4] . Te primary principle in meniscus surgery is the preservation of as much of the native meniscal tissue as possible [5] . Accordingly, there is a growing trend toward minimizing the use of APM and adopting regenerative approaches. One approach is the use of biodegradable scafolds to promote meniscal regeneration, which is

FAQs

Why are meniscal injuries difficult to treat effectively?

Because avascular regions have limited self-healing capacity, and existing repair strategies often show unsatisfactory long-term outcomes.

What role does collagen play in meniscal regeneration?

Collagen is described as the primary structural component of the meniscal ECM, helping maintain biomechanical integrity and guiding tissue regeneration.

How do collagen scaffolds aim to improve meniscal repair?

They are designed to support regeneration through scaffold materials and fabrication approaches, with attention to cell interactions in vivo, mechanical enhancement (e.g., crosslinking/reinforcement), controlled degradation, and biological integration.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by hdkawk