Meniscal Allograft Transplantation Without Bone Plugs A 3-Year Minimum Follow-up Study

Background: Meniscal allograft transplantation is a viable option for subtotally meniscectomized and totally meniscectomized symptomatic patients and potentially results in pain relief and increased function.Hypothesis: The use of a single tibial tunnel arthroscopic technique without bone plugs will reduce symptoms (pain) and improve knee function at a minimum 3-year follow-up.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods: Thirty-two meniscal transplantations (16 medial, 16 lateral; 23 men, 9 women) were prospectively evaluated at a minimum of 36 months (mean, 40.4 ± 6.90 months; range, 36-66 months) after surgery. The average age at the time of surgery was 35.6 ± 10.3 years (range, 15-55 years). The transplantation was performed using an arthroscopic bone plug–free technique with a single tibial tunnel plus “all-inside” meniscal sutures. The anterior meniscal horn was sutured to the capsule. Follow-up included a visual analog scale (VAS) score for knee pain and subjective and objective Internat...