Follow-up of collagen meniscus implant patients: clinical, radiological, and magnetic resonance imaging results at 5 years

Knee. 2010 Jun;17(3):224-9. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2009.08.011. Epub 2009 Oct 2.

Abstract

This study investigated at medium term follow-up the clinical outcomes and any progression of knee osteoarthritis in a population of patients that underwent arthroscopic placement of a collagen meniscus implant. Thirty-four patients underwent arthroscopic placement of a collagen meniscus implant for a symptomatic deficiency of medial meniscal tissue. Follow-up evaluation included Lysholm II score and Tegner activity scores and MR arthrography of the knee at 2 and 5 years after surgery. Plain radiographs were also obtained at 5 years. Six patients were excluded. In eight cases arthroscopic second look evaluation was performed. Lysholm and Tegner activity scores at 2 and 5 years after surgery improved significantly compared to the preoperative score. These patients showed good to excellent clinical results after 5 years from a CMI placement. The chondral surfaces of the medial compartment had not degenerated further since placement of the CMI. MR signal had continued to mature between 2 and 5 years after implant, progressively decreasing signal intensity but in any case comparable to the low signal of a normal meniscus. In most of cases the CMI-new tissue complex had a slight reduction in size, compared to a normal medial meniscus, but the new tissue had no apparent negative effects.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthroscopy
  • Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
  • Cartilage, Articular / pathology*
  • Collagen / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Menisci, Tibial / surgery*
  • Menisci, Tibial / transplantation*
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Recovery of Function
  • Tibial Meniscus Injuries
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Collagen