Meniscal transplantation in the human knee: a preliminary report.

Meniscectomy can result in degenerative disease, with younger patients developing problems in middle age (1). In addition, loss of a major portion of a medical meniscus may increase instability in an anterior cruciate deficient knee (2). For these two reasons, it is theoretically desirable to transplant menisci in selected patients. In this paper, six patients who underwent allograft transplantation of a meniscus (four medial and two lateral) are presented to demonstrate the apparent success of the operative procedure. Follow-up extends from 24 to 44 months, June 1986 to March 1988. All patients are free of episodes of locking. Four have undergone arthroscopy, which demonstrated healing of the meniscus and no evidence of shrinkage. KT 1,000 values returned to normal in four cases, with concomitant reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It is hoped that meniscal transplantation will offset the development of degenerative changes; however, this supposition will remain unproven for decades. Meniscal transplantation seemed to improve stability in the knees undergoing ACL reconstruction. Arthroscopy performed after transplantation revealed that healing does indeed occur. There was no evidence of rejection, confirming the feeling that meniscal tissue is "immunologically privileged." Meniscal transplantation is offered as an adjunct to other reconstructive procedures in cases of meniscal deficient knees.