Meniscal Allograft Transplantation Without Bone Blocks: A 5- to 8-Year Follow-Up of 33 Patients

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiographic results on a midterm basis, as well as complications, in an initial series of meniscal allograft transplantations performed with suture fixation without any bone block. Methods: A series of 33 meniscal allograft transplantations were performed at our institution from January 2001 to October 2003. Inclusion criteria were patients with compartmental joint line pain due to a previous meniscectomy. There were 24 men and 9 women with a mean age of 38.8 years (range, 21 to 54 years). The functional outcomes were evaluated by use of Lysholm and Tegner scores at a mean and minimum follow-up of 6.5 years and 5 years, respectively. A visual analog scale for pain was also used. Radiographic assessment included joint space narrowing on the Rosenberg view and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. Results: The Lysholm and Tegner scores significantly improved from 65.4 to 88.6 (P < .001) and from 3.1 to 5.5 (P < .001), respectively, after surgery. The visual analog scale score significantly dropped from 6.4 to 1.5 (P < .001). The radiographic evaluation did not show any joint space narrowing (P = .38). Meniscal extrusion was a constant finding, averaging 36.3% of total meniscal size. According to the Van Arkel criteria, the survival rate was 87.8% at 6.5 years. The rate of complications was 33%. Conclusions: This study suggests that this procedure provides significant pain relief and functional improvement in selected symptomatic individuals on a midterm basis. However, there was a high rate of complications (33%) and revision surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.