Rabbit models of bucket-handle-like meniscal tear

After radial tears were artificially created in the periphery of the middle third of the lateral menisci in Japanese white male rabbits, the menisci were sampled postoperatively at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. We noted that radial tears often progressed to longitudinal tears, and the length of longitudinal tears increased with time. On the other hand, the areas in which radial tears had been artificially created were filled with granulation-like tissue. Radial tears thus created may lead to bucket-handle-like tears of the menisci.