Husen et al
The American Journal of Sports Medicine 2024; 52(1): 96-108 DOI:10.1177/03635465231212667
More good news about meniscal allograft transplantation…
In a study from the surgeons at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota, the specialist knee surgeons there have published their results from 157 meniscal allograft transplants with a mean of 7 years follow-up.
The results simply concur with other previous studies (including our own, from here at London Sports Orthopaedics: https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-020-3165-0), with a reported success rate of 80% at 7-year follow-up.
What this study does show, however, which is of particular interest is that the less articular cartilage damage there is in a knee at the time of meniscal transplantation, the better the patient’s outcome is likely to be. Sounds obvious?… but it’s good to have this confirmed in a high-quality study from a centre of excellence like the Mayo Clinic.
What does this mean?
Importantly, there is a definite, clear but limited window of opportunity where meniscal allograft transplantation is a very useful and highly appropriate surgical option for those patients who have previously lost a meniscal cartilage in their knee and who, as a result, are beginning to develop premature degenerative changes in that compartment of their knee.
It’s not considered appropriate to perform a major complex reconstructive surgical procedure like meniscal transplantation purely just for prophylactic reasons, in someone with no actual symptoms. However, if a patient leaves their knee for too long, and if the damage progresses too far… then they may miss that window of opportunity where meniscal transplantation might be a viable option for them. Importantly, if a patient is too old and/or if the damage in their knee has progressed too far, and if the patient has actually developed fully-blown arthritis in their knee, then they’ve missed the boat, and they’re not going to be an appropriate candidate for meniscal transplantation.
Take home message
If someone is developing progressive symptoms in their knee subsequent to a previous meniscal tear/trim/removal… then refer them to a specialist knee surgeon who specifically specialises in meniscal allograft transplantation surgery for an opinion, sooner rather than later!
Find out more about meniscal transplantation surgery: www.meniscaltransplantation.com
Consultant Knee Surgeon
London Sports Orthopaedics