Experimental study on fresh meniscal allografts combined with osteochondral allografts transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of fresh meniscal allografts combined with osteochondral allografts transplantation for treatment of osteoarthritis. METHODS: Thirty-six rabbits were used in the experiment and were randomly divided into 3 groups: in group A, the fresh medial meniscal allografts combined with osteochondral allografts from medial tibial plateau were implanted into medial articular meniscal and medial tibial plateau osteochondral defects; in group B,the fresh medial meniscal allografts were implanted into medial meniscal allografts defects; in group C, the freezing medial meniscal allografts were implanted into medial meniscal allografts defects. General observation, histology examination and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) examination in cartilage of medial tibial plateau were performed at the 4th, 8th and 12th week after operation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in cellular counting and amount of GAG between group A and group B, but the cellular amount of group A was significantly more than that of group C at the 12th week. CONCLUSION: Fresh meniscal allografts combined with osteochondral allografts transplantation can repair meniscal and osteochondral defects.