Biomechanical Analysis of Segmental Medial Meniscal Transplantation in a Human Cadaveric Model

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110364
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Haber ◽  
Brenton W. Douglass ◽  
Justin W. Arner ◽  
Jon W. Miles ◽  
Liam A. Peebles ◽  
...  

Background: Meniscal deficiency has been reported to increase contact pressures in the affected tibiofemoral joint, possibly leading to degenerative changes. Current surgical options include meniscal allograft transplantation and insertion of segmental meniscal scaffolds. Little is known about segmental meniscal allograft transplantation. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of segmental medial meniscal allograft transplantation in the setting of partial medial meniscectomy in restoring native knee loading characteristics. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Ten fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees underwent central midbody medial meniscectomy and subsequent segmental medial meniscal allograft transplantation. Knees were loaded in a dynamic tensile testing machine to 1000 N for 20 seconds at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion. Four conditions were tested: (1) intact medial meniscus, (2) deficient medial meniscus, (3) segmental medial meniscal transplant fixed with 7 meniscocapsular sutures, and (4) segmental medial meniscal transplant fixed with 7 meniscocapsular sutures and 1 suture fixed through 2 bone tunnels. Submeniscal medial and lateral pressure-mapping sensors assessed mean contact pressure, peak contact pressure, mean contact area, and pressure mapping. Two-factor random-intercepts linear mixed effects models compared pressure and contact area measurements among experimental conditions. Results: The meniscal-deficient state demonstrated a significantly higher mean contact pressure than all other testing conditions (mean difference, ≥0.35 MPa; P < .001 for all comparisons) and a significantly smaller total contact area as compared with all other testing conditions (mean difference, ≤140 mm2; P < .001 for all comparisons). There were no significant differences in mean contact pressure or total contact area among the intact, transplant, or transplant-with-tunnel groups or in any outcome measure across all comparisons in the lateral compartment. No significant differences existed in center of pressure and relative pressure distribution across testing conditions. Conclusion: Segmental medial meniscal allograft transplantation restored the medial compartment mean contact pressure and mean contact area to values measured in the intact medial compartment. Clinical Relevance: Segmental medial meniscal transplantation may provide an alternative to full meniscal transplantation by addressing only the deficient portion of the meniscus with transplanted tissue. Additional work is required to validate long-term fixation strength and biologic integration.

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 2960-2965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Felipe Ambra ◽  
Alexandre Barbieri Mestriner ◽  
Jakob Ackermann ◽  
Amy T. Phan ◽  
Jack Farr ◽  
...  

Background: It is controversial whether soft tissue fixation only and bone-plug techniques for medial meniscal allograft transplantation provide equivalent fixation and restoration of load distribution. Prior studies on this topic did not re-create the clinical situation with use of size-, side-, and compartment-matched meniscal transplants. Hypothesis: Both techniques will provide equivalent fixation of the meniscal transplant and restore load distribution and contact pressures similar to those of the native knee. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Nine fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees underwent mean contact pressure, mean contact area, and peak contact pressure evaluation in 4 medial meniscal testing conditions (native, total meniscectomy, bone-plug fixation, and soft tissue fixation) at 3 flexion angles (0°, 30°, and 60°) using Tekscan sensors under a 700-N axial load. Results: Medial meniscectomy resulted in significantly decreased contact area and increased contact pressure compared with the native condition at all flexion angles ( P < .0001). Compared with the native state, soft tissue fixation demonstrated significantly higher mean contact pressure and lower mean contact area at 0° and 30° of flexion ( P < .05), while bone-plug fixation showed no significant difference. There was no significant difference in peak contact pressure between study conditions. Conclusion: Total medial meniscectomy leads to significantly worsened load distribution within the knee. Medial meniscal allograft transplantation can restore load parameters close to those of the native condition. The bone-plug technique demonstrated improved tibiofemoral contact pressures compared with soft tissue fixation. Clinical Relevance: Medial meniscal allograft transplantation with bone-plug fixation is a viable option to restore biomechanics in patients with meniscal deficiency.


2018 ◽  
Vol 100-B (1) ◽  
pp. 56-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Smith ◽  
N. Parsons ◽  
D. Wright ◽  
C. Hutchinson ◽  
A. Metcalfe ◽  
...  

Aims Meniscal allograft transplantation is undertaken to improve pain and function in patients with a symptomatic meniscal deficient knee compartment. While case series have shown improvements in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), its efficacy has not been rigorously evaluated. This study aimed to compare PROMs in patients having meniscal transplantation with those having personalized physiotherapy at 12 months. Patients and Methods A single-centre assessor-blinded, comprehensive cohort study, incorporating a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed on patients with a symptomatic compartment of the knee in which a (sub)total meniscectomy had previously been performed. They were randomized to be treated either with a meniscal allograft transplantation or personalized physiotherapy, and stratified for malalignment of the limb. They entered the preference groups if they were not willing to be randomized. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm score and complications were collected at baseline and at four, eight and 12 months following the interventions. Results A total of 36 patients entered the study; 21 were randomized and 15 chose their treatments. Their mean age was 28 years (range 17 to 46). The outcomes were similar in the randomized and preference groups, allowing pooling of data. At 12 months, the KOOS4 composite score (mean difference 12, p = 0.03) and KOOS subscales of pain (mean difference 15, p = 0.02) and activities of daily living (mean difference 18, p = 0.005) were significantly superior in the meniscal transplantation group. Other PROMs also favoured this group without reaching statistical significance. There were five complications in the meniscal transplantation and one in the physiotherapy groups. Conclusion This is the first study to compare meniscal allograft transplantation to non-operative treatment. The results provide the best quality evidence to date of the symptomatic benefits of meniscal allograft transplantation in the short term, but a multicentre RCT is required to investigate this question further. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:56–63.


2009 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 361-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
TB Crook ◽  
A Ardolino ◽  
LAP Williams ◽  
IW Barlow

INTRODUCTION Patients who have previously undergone meniscectomy are known to potentially suffer subsequent knee problems including degenerative changes. Meniscal transplantation has been proposed as a possble solution to these problems. This article aims to review the current literature to consolidate the evidence surrounding the use of human meniscal allograft transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three databases (PubMed, Embase and Medline) were searched to find English language articles pertaining to meniscal allograft transplantation. Each article was critiqued by two authors using a structured appraisal tool, and stratified according to the level of evidence. RESULTS No Level I or II studies were identified. Many studies had small study groups with limited follow-up and patient selection and description of patient factors varied greatly. This made comparing data difficult. There were also very few papers concentrating on isolated meniscal transplantation. Four types of graft are used – fresh, fresh-frozen, cryopreserved and freeze-dried (lyophilised) graft. Cryopreserved and fresh-frozen allografts are deemed most suitable. Most authors advocate the use of non-irradiated grafts from screened donors to reduce transmission of infection. Best results occur when using bony anchors to fix the graft, although this requires accurate graft positioning. Patients have an improved outcome if they have less severe degenerative changes within the knee prior to transplantation. CONCLUSIONS No statistically significant studies looking at isolated meniscal transplantations have been found. The evidence suggests that meniscal allograft transplantation provides improvement of pain and function in the short and intermediate term. The effect on future joint degeneration is still unknown. The ideal patient group includes patients less than 40 years of age with knee pain, proven meniscal injury and a normally aligned, stable joint without severe degenerative changes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 693-699
Author(s):  
Sang-Min Lee ◽  
Seong-Il Bin ◽  
Jong-Min Kim ◽  
Bum-Sik Lee ◽  
Kuen Tak Suh ◽  
...  

Background: Several studies have reported further reduction in joint space width (JSW) after meniscal allograft transplantation; some contributing postoperative factors are known, although preoperative factors remain unclear. This study is the first to analyze the preoperative risk factors for reduced JSW in patients after lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (LMAT). Hypothesis: Poor cartilage status and high preoperative body mass index (BMI) influence the postoperative progression of joint space narrowing. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We retrospectively studied 79 patients after LMAT who were observed for at least 5 years. JSWs on weightbearing flexion posteroanterior radiographs were measured preoperatively and at the 5-year mark. Differences in JSW were divided into more progression and less progression groups. The modified Outerbridge cartilage grades based on magnetic resonance imaging assessments were compared at subtotal/total meniscectomy and at LMAT to determine the difference between time points. Preoperative between-group differences in sex, age, surgical side, follow-up period, weight, height, BMI, and meniscal deficiency period were analyzed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Lysholm score. Data were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results: Radiographically, the overall change in JSW from preoperative to follow-up was 0.58 mm (range, –0.23 to 1.83 mm). Reductions in JSW in the more progression and less progression groups were 0.94 ± 0.32 and 0.22 ± 0.21 mm (mean ± SD), respectively. There was no difference in cartilage status between the groups at meniscectomy or LMAT; however, changes between time points were significant on the lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial plateau. Clinically, there were significant differences in weight, BMI, and meniscal deficiency period between the 2 groups. Postoperative Lysholm scores increased as compared with the preoperative scores, but there was no difference among the postoperative time points. In the univariate logistic regression risk analysis, weight, BMI, meniscal deficiency period, and the difference in cartilage status between time points for the lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial plateau were identified as significant. In the subsequent multivariate logistic regression, BMI (odds ratio, 1.45; P = .016) and meniscal deficiency period (odds ratio, 1.21; P = .037) were the statistically significant factors. Conclusion: BMI and meniscal deficiency period were preoperative risk factors for JSW narrowing after LMAT. This suggests that the meniscal deficiency period from meniscectomy to LMAT may be shortened and that proper weight management can lead to successful LMAT.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0004
Author(s):  
Haley E. Smith ◽  
Madeline M. Lyons ◽  
Neeraj M. Patel

Background: Meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) is an option to slow the progression of degenerative disease in the setting of substantial meniscal deficiency. This may be especially important in children and adolescents, but there is little literature on MAT in this population. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of MAT in the pediatric population, with specific attention to regional and demographic trends. Methods: The Pediatric Health Information System, a national database consisting of 49 children’s hospitals, was queried for all patients undergoing MAT between 2011 and 2018. Demographic information was collected for each subject as well as data regarding previous and subsequent surgeries. The database was also queried for all meniscus surgeries (including repairs and meniscectomies) performed during the study period. Demographic and geographic data from this control group were compared to that of children undergoing MAT. Univariate analysis was followed by purposeful entry multivariate regression to adjust for confounding factors. Results: A total of 27,168 meniscus surgeries were performed in 47 hospitals, with MAT performed 67 times in 17 hospitals. Twelve patients (18%) underwent a subsequent procedure after transplantation. In multivariate analysis, each year of increasing age resulted in 1.1 times higher odds of having undergone MAT rather than repair or meniscectomy (95% CI 1.03-1.1, p=0.002). Patients that underwent transplantation had 2.0 times higher odds of being female (95% CI 1.2-3.3, p=0.01) and 2.0 times higher odds of being commercially insured (95% CI 1.1-3.6, p=0.02). MAT was performed most frequently in the Northeast (4.9/1000 meniscus surgeries) and least often in the South (1.1/1000 meniscus surgeries, p<0.001). Furthermore, transplantation was more likely to be performed in larger cities. The median pediatric population of cities in which MAT was performed was 983,268 (range 157,253-3,138,870) compared to 662,290 (range 4,420-4,311,500) in cities where it was not (p=0.04). Conclusion: In the United States, patients that underwent MAT were older, more likely to be female, and have commercial insurance than those undergoing meniscus repair or meniscectomy. MAT was only done in 17/47 children’s hospitals that perform meniscus surgery and was most frequently performed in the Northeast and in larger cities. These trends highlight the need for further research, especially regarding differences along the lines of sex and insurance status.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 232596711666318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Parkinson ◽  
Nicholas Smith ◽  
Laura Asplin ◽  
Peter Thompson ◽  
Tim Spalding

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