Meniscus transplantation: current concepts

Treatment options are limited for young, meniscal-deficient patients with pain. This patient population is not age appropriate for total joint replacement, yet the loss of the meniscus leaves them at significant risk for the development of osteoarthritis. One increasingly popular option is the use of allograft meniscal transplantation. However, many questions, both clinical and biomechanical, still surround allograft meniscus transplantation. Clinical questions include risks of disease transmission, patient factors affecting ultimate outcome, optimal graft preservation methods, and surgical technique choice. Biomechanical questions include whether allograft meniscus transplantation can reproduce the functions of the meniscus, the effects of proper sizing and fixation methods on contact mechanics, and the effects of freezing on allograft strength. This article reviews these questions and more current concepts regarding allograft meniscus transplantation.