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The Challenge: Arthritic
Knees and Cartilage Damage
The meniscus is a shock-absorbing cartilage wedge in the knee, which is often partially or completely removed when damaged in sports or compromised in the hostile environment of an arthritic knee. Loss of the shock absorber hastens arthritic changes and increases pain caused by raw arthritic surfaces rubbing against each other – "bone on bone." Previous studies suggest patients with severe arthritis are poor candidates for meniscus transplantation because the rough surfaces of arthritic joints may compromise the transplanted tissue. |
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Meniscus Allograft Clinical Study
Our study focused on 119 patients with severe arthritis, who underwent a meniscus allograft (a cadaver-to-patient transplant) to answer the question: Can a meniscus allograft survive in a severely arthritic knee? This study is one of the most comprehensive clinical investigations published on meniscus allograft transplantation with the oldest patient population and the highest average level of arthritis. |
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Study Results
The results of 119 allografts, followed up to 12 years, compare favorably with previous reports of meniscus allograft transplantation in younger patients with less severe arthritis. The study shows that the meniscus allograft can be expected to survive in arthritic joints for nearly ten years on average. And not only will they survive in the arthritic joint, but patients reported continued increases in both function and activity levels along with decreased pain as compared to how they felt before receiving the allograft. Therefore, the meniscus allograft is a viable first step for the treatment of arthritis in both young and old patients. |
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Why This Study Is Important
The Stone Research Foundation demonstrated that transplantation of a shock-absorbing meniscus can:
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Provide long-term pain relief
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Delay total knee replacement
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Maintain high levels of activity and fitness even in severely arthritic patients.
These findings challenge the contraindications of age and arthritis severity for meniscus allograft transplantation. This procedure can significantly improve patient outcomes, even in older, arthritic patients. As we better understand the indications for meniscus transplantation, we can offer hope to more patients while reducing costs to the medical system by delaying total knee replacement. |
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Publications
Our 2 - 12 year study of 119 meniscus allograft patients has just been accepted for publication by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British Volume). Our previous 2 - 7 year study of 47 meniscus allograft patients is available below and in our Library. |
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 Stone KR Meniscus Survival Arthroscopy 2006 |
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