Meniscal regeneration in the long-term after total meniscectomy?

A cohort of 39 patients (28 male, 11 female) that had undergone total meniscectomy as adolescents (mean age 16 years) underwent FISP 3D Magnetic Resonance Imaging at a mean follow up of 30 years. The presence of meniscal tissue was assessed by two independent observers blinded to the operation details. The volume of any meniscal tissue present was calculated. A posterior horn remnant was seen in 57% of medial and 45% of lateral meniscectomy cases. The mean volume of an operated medial meniscal remnant was 0.29 mL compared with a mean volume of 1.15 mL for an intact medial meniscus. The mean volume of an operated lateral meniscal remnant was 0.30 mL compared with 1.07 mL for an intact lateral meniscus. We have shown that the incidence of incomplete excision of the posterior horn is more common after total medial meniscectomy, and that at a mean follow up of 30 years there is no convincing in vivo MRI evidence of long-term meniscal regeneration.