Repair of the meniscus. An experimental investigation in rabbits

The healing process of wedge-shaped and longitudinal lesions in the meniscus of the knee was investigated in 74 menisci in 24 Chinchilla rabbits. In four cases the whole meniscus was removed and reimplanted. healing was most evident in the wedge-shaped lesions, which were repaired by fibrocartilage. In longitudinal lesions the repair was markedly avascular and consisted of fibrous tissue only. Suturing did not facilitate the healing process.