Meniscal Allograft Transplantation A Comprehensive Historical and Current Review

Throughout the history of orthopaedics, our understanding of the function and necessity of the meniscus has significantly evolved, and with it, our techniques of treating, repairing, preserving, and replacing it have progressed in parallel. Currently, it is known that a meniscus deficiency is a predisposing factor to the development of degenerative changes of the knee. Thus, it is incumbent upon the surgeon to preserve the meniscus to the extent that biology will allow. Unfortunately, circumstances arise when the meniscus cannot be preserved, and young patients afflicted by irreparable meniscus deficiency may be potential candidates for a meniscus transplant. Though its indications are limited and its execution technically complex, meniscal allograft transplant has been shown to provide good subjective outcomes and is a potentially joint preserving surgery. This paper provides a comprehensive and historical review of the meniscus, a brief review of meniscus anatomy and biomechanics, and commentary on the role of meniscal allograft transplant for the treatment of meniscal deficiency, including patient selection, graft selection and sizing, surgical technique, and outcomes.