Meniscal allograft transplantation

Meniscal allograft transplantation is a reasonable treatment option for the young patient with symptomatic meniscal deficiency. Although clinical results are promising, in most studies only mixed procedures have been performed, with short- or medium-term follow-up. Important potential prognostic factors include patient selection, severity of degenerative changes, limb stability and alignment, graft sizing and processing methods, graft placement, and graft fixation. The use of meniscal allograft transplantation should be considered a salvage operation for the difficult clinical dilemma of meniscal deficiency in young patients. Nonetheless, in carefully selected patients, this procedure can predictably relieve compartmental symptoms, and, in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, restore knee stability. In addition, the partial restoration of meniscal function provided by this procedure may slow the degenerative arthritic process.