[Transposition of the medial meniscus as an anterior cruciate ligament replacement in animal experiments]

In 24 rabbits the anterior cruciate ligament was resected and replaced with the medial meniscus. The posterior and middle part of the meniscus was dissected from the capsule. The anterior horn remained in biological fixation. The posterior horn was fixed with a wire under tension and placed in a drill hole through the lateral femoral condyle. After 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months the ligamentous replacement was examined. Colour and strength of the transplanted meniscus was related to tension of the cruciate ligament replacement. The transformation in ligamentous tissue could be shown histologically. According to tensile strength in the cruciate ligament fibrous cartilage tissue was replaced by parallel collagenous tissue. The intraarticular surface of the new ligament was covered with a layer of synovial cells. Boney insertion showed collagen fibers inserted in new bone formation. Metaplasia of fibrous cartilage tissue into ligamentous structures is possible under tensile strength. Autologous menisci should be preserved whenever possible. In the future allogenic menisci wight be used for cruciate ligament replacement.