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Meniscal transplantation reduced pain in patients younger than 50 years
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Although researchers found cryopreserved meniscal transplantation relieved pain and improved function among patients aged younger than 50 years, many patients required an additional surgery after 10 years follow-up.
“This data provides surgeons with reasonable percentages that encourage delaying additional major knee surgeries related to a damaged meniscus,” Frank R. Noyes, MD, found of the Noyes Knee Institute at the Cincinnati Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, stated in a press release. “However, the longer-term function of meniscus transplants remains questionable because the survivorship rate of the transplants decreases to between 40% and 15% at 15 years. Patients should be advised that this procedure is not curative in the long-term and additional surgery will most likely be necessary.”
Frank R. Noyes
Researchers implanted 40 cryopreserved menisci into 38 patients. Survival endpoints included transplant removal, revision or tibiofemoral compartment pain with daily activities. Researchers also calculated a worst-case scenario for patients who did not have symptoms related to the transplant and included additional end points of grade-3 signal intensity, extrusion or tear on MRI; signs of meniscal tear on examination; or radiographic loss of joint space.
During a mean postoperative time of 11 years, result showed an estimated probability of transplant survival of 88% at 5 years, 63% at 10 years and 40% at 15 years. Researchers also found a worst-case survival rate estimate of 73% at 5 years, 68% at 7 years, 48% at 10 years and 15% at 15 years. Medial transplants had a mean time to failure of 8.2 years. Lateral transplants had a mean time to failure of 7.6 years, according to study results. Pain, swelling, walking, stair-climbing, squatting and patient perception of their knee condition showed significant improvement in the functional analysis. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: Noyes received grants from Jewish Hospital-Mercy Health, Cincinnati, Ohio. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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