Articular cartilage after meniscectomy. Rabbit knees studied with the scanning electron microscope.
Ten rabbits had a medial meniscectomy in both knees. The articular surface was studied with a scanning electron microscope 2, 4 or 12 weeks after the operation. Three sham operated and two unoperated rabbits served as controls. Progressive articular cartilage damage was observed on the weight-bearing areas of the medial condyles. The findings are compatible with clinical observations after meniscectomy; they confirm that meniscectomy is not a harmless operation.
D000818:Animals; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors