The effect of a meniscal prosthesis on knee biomechanics and cartilage

Abstract

A meniscal prosthesis made of Dacron with polyure thane coating was tested as a substitute for the medial meniscus in a rabbit experimental model concentrating on biomechanical behavior of the knee joint and gross and histologic evaluation 3 months after surgery. The results were compared to sham-operated knees, knees with a peripheral incision of the medial meniscus, and knees with a total meniscectomy. Knees with prosthe sis implantation had the same stiffness as knees with sham-operation or meniscal incision, but knees with meniscectomy were stiffer (P < 0.05). Knees with pros thesis showed lower energy storage during relaxation than knees with sham-operation or meniscal incision (P < 0.05). Energy storage in the prosthesis group was similar to the meniscectomy group. Partial or total ingrowth of synovial tissue into the prosthesis was present in 93%, and 63% of the incised menisci had healed. Cartilage changes were present in 70% of the prosthesis group, in 25% of the knees with meniscal incision, and...