Meniscal regeneration and postmeniscectomy degenerative joint disease.

The failure of meniscal regeneration via a fibrous semilunar mold can be correlated with an increased incidence of degenerative joint disease. Experiments on rabbits revealed a statistically significant relationship between the failure of meniscal regeneration and the development of degenerative joint disease, characterized by osteophyte formation, cartilage pitting and erosions, and loss of carbilage proteoglycan. Similar results in limited studies utilizing adult fox hounds supported this observation. In dogs, variation in the extent of tissues resected about the meniscus, including synovectomy, did not inhibit the reformation of a fibrous semilunar mold. No specific "zone of regeneration" responsible for meniscal regeneration was identified.