Short-term Follow up after Meniscus Allograft Transplantation with Clinical Results and MRI Findings

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical results and MRI findings follow up after meniscal transplantation using fresh frozen meniscal allograft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From Dec. 1999 to Dec. 2001, we evaluated 17 patients (12 cases male, 5 cases female) after meniscal transplantation using fresh frozen meniscal allograft. The patients performed the lateral meniscal transplantation were 12cases, the medial were 5cases. The average age was 32 years old (ranging from 19 to 50 years old), and was follow up period 18 months (ranging from 12 to 26 months). Among them we studied MRI findings in 16 patients and the postop-period was 16.9 months (ranging from 5 to 26 months). We analyzed the clinical data by applying KASS(knee assessment scoring system) & Lysholm knee score, and rehabilitation ability using of Tegner activity scale. It investigated the retrogressive changes of joint effusion, misfortune degree of meniscal location, intensity, tear and degenerative change which was made from the MRI. RESULTS: The follow up mean KASS score and Lysholm score were 84.3 (ranging from 61 to 94), and 81.1 (ranging from 63 to 90). Among the 17 patients, 15 patients showed good results. But painful swellings were 2 cases and intermitent locking symtom was 1 case. The MRI findings were 14 cases increasing signal intensity, 2 cases peripheral displacement, 2 cases partial meniscal tear and some degree effusions of 13 cases. CONCLUSION: The meniscal transplantation using fresh frozen allogrft came to be thought with the surgical method which improved the function of knee joint after operating it brought a successful result from the MRI.