Comparative study on meniscus allograft transplantation versus meniscectomy: Four years' follow-up

Background: The purpose of the present study was to compare the mid-term clinical outcomes of MAT and meniscectomy. Methods: Between July 2006 and December 2010, 20 patients receiving meniscus allograft transplantation were enrolled. The IKDC score, Lysholm score, Tegner score and VAS score were compared between the two groups. X-ray and MRI were used to evaluate the degree of knee joint degeneration and the chondral lesions. Results: The follow-up durations of the two groups were 60.3 +/- 21.3 months and 56.5 +/- 19.7 months respectively. There were no significant differences in preoperative IKDC score, Lysholm score, Tegner score and VAS score, as well as in postoperative clinical scores, single leg jumping, changes of the joint space and alignment between the two groups. Pre-post cartilage degeneration on X-ray in transplantation group was less than in meniscectomy group (1.45 (1.0-2.0) vs. 0.2 (0.0-1.0), P< 0.001), as well as the postoperative Yulish score (1.3 (0.0-3.0) vs. 2.1 (1.0-3.0), P= 0.027) and the pre-post Yulish score changes on MRI (0.6 (0.0-2.0) vs. 1.5 (0.0-2.0), P< 0.001. Conclusions: Though the mid-term clinical results of the two groups were similar. MAT could more obviously protect articular cartilage and delay the recessive process of articular cartilage compared with meniscectomy.