REVIEWS   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2007 April;58(2):207-18

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Allograft meniscus transplantation: indications, techniques and outcomes

Baer G. S., Sekiya J. K.

Division of Sports Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery UPMC Center for Sports Medicine University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Meniscus transplantation is one of the few treatment options for the symptomatic knee in a young patient that has undergone complete or subtotal meniscectomy. Early and mid-term clinical results have reported successful outcomes in relieving pain and improving function in approximately 85% of patients. Important considerations for obtaining successful outcomes include patient selection, addressing associated pathology, and graft selection, placement, and fixation. In this manuscript we review the indications for meniscal transplantation, patient associated factors, graft associated factors, surgical techniques, and postoperative protocols employed to facilitate successful outcomes in this difficult patient population.