Midterm Outcomes After Meniscal Allograft Transplantation: Comparison of Cases With Extrusion Versus Without Extrusion

BackgroundAlthough graft extrusion is of concern after meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), the correlation between extrusion and clinicoradiological outcomes remains unclear.HypothesisPatients with graft extrusion after MAT have worse clinical outcomes and greater arthritic change than those without graft extrusion.Study DesignCohort study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsForty-three patients underwent MAT between 1999 and 2004. Grafts were classified as either nonextruded (<3 mm) or extruded (≥3 mm) according to 1-year postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 33.5 years (range, 17-43 years), and the mean follow-up period was 5.1 years (range, 3.5-8.3 years). The Lysholm score was used to evaluate knee function. In addition, preoperative and postoperative (final follow-up) measurements were taken to determine the absolute and relative (affected side/normal side) joint space width (JSW) on a standing 45° flexion posteroanterior view.ResultsM...