Degenerative changes after meniscectomy and meniscal regeneration.
In an experimental study on rabbit knees, regeneration of the medial meniscus occurred following 9 out of 10 meniscectomies, compared with only 1 out of 10 lateral menisci. Degenerative changes in the articular cartilage were seen in 8 of 9 knees where the lateral cartilage failed to regenerate, but in only 2 of 9 with a regenerated medial cartilage. The rate of regeneration is lower after lateral meniscectomy and this may partially explain the occurrence of more severe degenerative changes after this operation.
Moon
M S
MS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Catholic University Medical College, Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Chung
I S
IS
D000818:Animals; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011817:Rabbits; D012038:Regeneration