Meniscal allograft transplantation

The graft can be inserted via different methods.

 

Here a donor meniscus with a bone block is prepared to be slotted into a matching slot in the bone at the top of the tibia in a 'tongue-and-groove' fashion..

Objectives of a meniscal transplant

The objective of a transplant is to restore the shock absorption on that side, and improve the limb alignment - both of which should lessen the risk of joint arthritis.

• Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

  "....the general expert opinion is still that it is a procedure that should be reserved for symptomatic meniscal loss...."

  Citation: Figueroa F, Figueroa D, Calvo R, Vaisman A, Espregueira-Mendes J. Meniscus allograft transplantation: indications, techniques and outcomes. EFORT Open Rev. 2019 Apr 25;4(4):115-120. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180052. PMID: 31057948; PMCID: PMC6491952.

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How long does a meniscal allograft last?

A meniscal allograft transplantation may last for many years, but there may nonetheless some progression to osteoarthritis.

• Quote from peer-reviewed paper:

  "....The mean time to failure of the meniscal graft was 206.2 months ± 13.4 (18.0 years)...."

  Citation: Torres-Claramunt R, Morales-Avalos R, Perelli S, Padilla-Medina JR, Monllau JC. Good clinical outcomes can be expected after meniscal allograft transplantation at 15 years of follow-up. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2023 Jan;31(1):272-278. doi: 10.1007/s00167-022-07106-z. Epub 2022 Aug 16. PMID: 35972520.

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