The Effects of Medial Meniscal Transplantation Techniques on Intra-Articular Contact Pressures

This study aimed to compare medial compartment contact pressures in knees treated with medial meniscal transplantation using either a bone plug or bone trough technique. Peak pressure, mean pressure, and contact area of the medial compartment were determined in 8 cadaveric specimens at 0 degrees and 30 degrees of flexion under a 1000-N load. Contact mechanics were measured for the intact knee, after meniscectomy, and after medial meniscal transplant with either a bone plug technique or a bone trough technique. Total medial meniscectomy resulted in decreased contact area, increased medial contact pressure, and increased medial peak contact pressure. When comparing meniscal transplant techniques at both 0 degrees and 30 degrees, no significant difference (P < 0.05) was noted regarding contact mechanics after transplantation. The bone trough technique shows similar contact mechanics to the double bone plug technique and maintains the natural hoop stress of the meniscus during medial meniscal transplantation.