Concomitant Arthroscopic Meniscal Allograft Transplantation and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

In recent decades, arthroscopic meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) has been refined as a robust option for the treatment of evolving unicompartmental tibiofemoral arthrosis in the setting of meniscal deficiency. It is imperative that the MAT be performed in a knee with anatomic stability and alignment to reduce aberrant biomechanical forces experienced by the allograft tissue to maintain its durability. Thus, in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient knee, ACL reconstruction (ACLR) must be performed to restore the stable knee environment for the MAT to succeed. Although these operations can be performed in staged fashion, a single-stage procedure with concomitant MAT and ACLR is an option. Its performance is technically demanding and requires careful consideration as to the intraoperative setup, incisions, graft options, surgical tools, and procedural order to properly secure the transplanted meniscal allograft and restore a functional, anatomic ACL. We present our preferred technique for concomitant arthroscopic MAT and ACLR, as well as some potential pitfalls and pearls to avoid pitfalls.