Allograft meniscus transplantation.

At this time, meniscal allograft transplantation remains an investigational procedure with very limited indications. To date, no work has shown that the transplanted meniscus is capable of protecting and, preserving the hyaline cartilage of the knee joint. The technical aspects of the procedure have been established and are reproducible. Furthermore, it is apparent that a systemic rejection phenomenon does not seem to occur, and the transplanted meniscus is capable of healing. MR imaging appears to be the best method of assessing postoperative position of the transplanted meniscus in the knee. If the transplanted meniscus cannot be maintained in an anatomic position during weight bearing, it is unlikely to have any functional role. Questions remain with regard to the best way to preserve and sterilize the meniscus and whether the transplanted allograft meniscus is capable of assuming the multifaceted role of the normal meniscus in the knee. As more work is conducted, these questions will be answered, and a better understanding of the efficacy of this novel technique will be achieved.