Radiographic evaluation of the knee joint after meniscal allograft transplantation. An experimental study in rabbits.

Experimental and clinical studies have documented that meniscal allografts show capsular ingrowth in meniscectomized knees. However, it remains to be established whether meniscal allograft transplantation can prevent degenerative changes after total meniscectomy. In this study radiography was used to compare changes in rabbit knees after meniscectomy and after meniscal transplantation. Thirty-two mature female New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups: group A ( n=6) and group C ( n=6) underwent meniscectomy; group B ( n=7) and group D ( n=6) were subjected to meniscal transplantation immediately after meniscectomy; in group E ( n=7) a delayed meniscus transplantation was performed 6 weeks after meniscectomy. Radiographic changes were evaluated 6 weeks (groups A, B) and 1 year (groups C-E) postoperatively. One year after surgery both meniscectomized and transplanted knees showed significantly more radiographic changes than after 6 weeks. At 1-year follow-up no statistically significant radiographic differences were found between the joints that had undergone meniscectomy and those that were subjected to immediate or delayed meniscal transplantation. Our findings suggest that meniscal allograft transplantation does not prevent degenerative changes in the rabbit knee on a long term.