Chondroprotective effect of Meniscal Allograft Transplantation evaluated by T2-mapping at 4 years follow-up: all arthroscopic technique

Abstract

To evaluate the clinical course, chondroprotection and immunological reaction of meniscus transplantation (TM) with gamma irradiated (GI) versus fresh frozen (FC) allograft at twenty-four months. Twenty medial TMs in twenty patients, knee scales, T2-mapping and second arthroscopic view were evaluated, as well as identification of immunological reactions with the measurement of inflammatory cytokines by PCR in blood and synovial fluid.

Thirteen transplants with FC graft and seven GI grafts, average age of thirty-two years. Significant improvement on scales at twenty-four months: KOOS (pain 67.80 / 79.30; symptoms 60.80 / 82.10; AVD 8.05 / 92.40; sports 37 / 63.35; CV 28.90 / 71.30), Lysholm (62.20 / 85.80), IKDCs (50.17 / 72.12), EVA (3.35 / 0.4). The cartilage of the transplanted compartment remained within normal values, with no difference at twenty-four months (femur: 33.43 versus 33.50 ms, p = 0.16) (tibia: 33.57 versus 34.35 ms, p = 0.21). All patients showed integrity of the graft at twelve months in the second arthroscopic view. An increase in plasma cytokines IL-6 and IL-17 was only observed in one patient in the GI group, without clinical repercussion. Clinical improvement, adequate integration and significant chondroprotection at twenty-four months in both types of grafts.