Meniscal transplantation and degenerative articular change: an experimental study in the rabbit

Over the past several decades, scientific evidence has substantiated the vital role of the meniscus in the function of the knee. Using a modified Mankin method, this study evaluated the efficacy of immediate and delayed meniscal transplantation to prevent the degenerative articular changes seen after medial meniscectomy. Significantly fewer degenerative changes occurred in the articular cartilage from New Zealand white rabbits receiving a meniscal transplantation immediately after meniscectomy when compared with control animals killed 3 months after meniscectomy (P < .05). Rabbits who received a delayed transplantation 3 months after meniscectomy and were killed at 6 months, showed significantly fewer degenerative changes in the articular cartilage compared with control animals killed 6 months (P < .05) or 3 months (P < .05) after meniscectomy. These studies show that both immediate and delayed meniscal allograft transplantation offer some initial protection to the cartilaginous surfaces of the knee following meniscectomy. These studies also suggest that delayed meniscal transplantation may reverse initial postmeniscectomy degenerative changes for the short term.