Load Distribution After Serial Resection of the Posterior Horn of the Lateral Meniscus and Subsequent Meniscal Allograft Transplant: A Biomechanical Study

BACKGROUND: Data are lacking as to when a meniscal allograft transplant (MAT) may be biomechanically superior to a partially resected lateral meniscus. HYPOTHESIS: Lateral MAT using a bone bridge technique would restore load distribution and contact pressures in the tibiofemoral joint to levels superior to those of a partial lateral meniscectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eleven fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees were evaluated in 5 lateral meniscal testing conditions (native, one-third posterior horn meniscectomy, two-thirds posterior horn meniscectomy, total meniscectomy, MAT) at 3 flexion angles (0 degrees , 30 degrees , and 60 degrees ) under a 1600-N axial load. Pressure sensors were used to acquire contact pressure, contact area, and peak contact pressure within the tibiofemoral joint. RESULTS: Limited (one-third and two-thirds) partial lateral posterior horn meniscectomy showed no significant increase in mean and peak contact pressures as well as no significant decrease in contact area compared with the intact state. Total meniscectomy significantly increased mean contact pressure at 0 degrees and 30 degrees (P = .008 and P < .001, respectively), increased peak contact pressure at 30 degrees (P = .04), and decreased mean contact area in all flexion angles compared with the native condition (P < .01). Lateral MAT significantly improved mean contact pressure compared with total meniscectomy at 0 degrees and 30 degrees (P = .002 and P = .003, respectively) and increased contact area at 30 degrees and 60 degrees (P = .003 and P = .009, respectively), although contact area was still significantly smaller (24.1%) after MAT relative to the native meniscus (P = 0.015). However, allograft transplant did not result in better tibiofemoral contact biomechanics compared with limited partial meniscectomy (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The peripheral portion of the lateral meniscus provided the most important contribution to the distribution of contact pressure across the tibiofemoral joint in the cadaveric model. Total meniscectomy significantly increased mean and peak contact pressure in the cadaveric model and decreased contact area. Lateral MAT restored contact biomechanics close to normal but was not superior to the partially meniscectomized status. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgeons should attempt to preserve a peripheral rim of the posterior lateral meniscus. Meniscal allograft transplant appears to improve but not normalize mean contact pressure and contact area relative to total lateral meniscectomy.