Meniscal allograft transplantation without bone blocks: a 5- to 8-year follow-up of 33 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiographic results on a midterm basis, as well as complications, in an initial series of meniscal allograft transplantations performed with suture fixation without any bone block.


METHODS
A series of 33 meniscal allograft transplantations were performed at our institution from January 2001 to October 2003. Inclusion criteria were patients with compartmental joint line pain due to a previous meniscectomy. There were 24 men and 9 women with a mean age of 38.8 years (range, 21 to 54 years). The functional outcomes were evaluated by use of Lysholm and Tegner scores at a mean and minimum follow-up of 6.5 years and 5 years, respectively. A visual analog scale for pain was also used. Radiographic assessment included joint space narrowing on the Rosenberg view and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation.


RESULTS
The Lysholm and Tegner scores significantly improved from 65.4 to 88.6 (P < .001) and from 3.1 to 5.5 (P < .001), respectively, after surgery. The visual analog scale score significantly dropped from 6.4 to 1.5 (P < .001). The radiographic evaluation did not show any joint space narrowing (P = .38). Meniscal extrusion was a constant finding, averaging 36.3% of total meniscal size. According to the Van Arkel criteria, the survival rate was 87.8% at 6.5 years. The rate of complications was 33%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that this procedure provides significant pain relief and functional improvement in selected symptomatic individuals on a midterm basis. However, there was a high rate of complications (33%) and revision surgery.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic case series.
González-Lucena
Gemma
G
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain. gemaglu@gmail.com
Gelber
Pablo Eduardo
PE
Pelfort
Xavier
X
Tey
Marc
M
Monllau
Juan Carlos
JC
D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult