The effect of meniscal allograft implantation on the progression of osteoarthritis: A macroscopical, histopathological, radiological and biomechanical study in rabbit knee joints

Abstract

Objectives: The effect of cryopreserved meniscal allograft implantation on the progression of mild to moderate osteoarthritis was evaluated. Methods: Forty-four five-month-old local albino male rabbits were used. The first stage of the experiment comprised induction of arthritis either by meniscectomy (n=6) or immobilization (n=6). After six weeks, signifiantly marked osteoarthritis was noted in the meniscectomized knees. In the second stage, total meniscectomy was performed in the right knees of eight animals. At the end of six weeks, cryopreserved meniscal allografts were implanted in the right knees, and autograft implantation (n=4) or total meniscectomy (n=4) were performed in the left knees. Finally, 24 animals were divided into two equal groups. In one group, allograft and otograft transplantation were performed in the right and left knees, respectively, and the other group was left as controls. Biomechanical tensile endurance of allografts, otografts and normal meniscii were assessed after 12 and 20 weeks. Results: The first stage showed that, according to the Mankin criteria, meniscectomy-induced arthritis was significantly more marked than that of immobilization. In the second stage, allografts implanted to the meniscectomized knees were observed to slow down the progression of arthritis. The mechanical strength of allografts was significantly lower than those of autografts and normal menisci after 12 weeks; however, in this respect, no significant difference was noted at the end of 20 weeks. Conclusion: It was concluded that, despite lower initial mechanical strength compared with normal menisci, meniscal allografts prevented progression of degeneration of mild to moderate knee joint arthritis.