In a study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers William Canham and
The medial meniscus was removed and replaced under three experimental conditions: (1) direct reimplantation in seven dogs, (2) reimplantation using a glutaraldehyde-preserved bioprosthetic meniscus in five dogs, and (3) transplantation of an allogenic meniscus stored in tissue culture for two to three weeks in ten dogs. All animals were evaluated at two months post-surgery through gross dissection and histological assessment of the meniscus–joint capsule interface.
Results indicated that both the reimplanted autologous menisci and the tissue-culture–preserved allogenic grafts attached well to the joint capsule, with no loose bodies or partial detachments detected. These findings suggest that the surgical technique effectively supports biologic reintegration of meniscal tissue when native or properly preserved grafts are used.
In contrast, glutaraldehyde-preserved bioprosthetic menisci demonstrated poorer attachment quality. Additionally, dogs in this treatment group frequently experienced joint effusions during the first two postoperative weeks, indicating early irritation or inflammatory response. Despite these issues, all groups showed minimal synovial inflammation at the two-month endpoint.
This research provided early evidence that preservation method critically influences the success of meniscal transplantation. Tissue-culture preservation supports graft viability and integration, whereas chemical fixation with glutaraldehyde compromises attachment and may provoke early joint reactions.
Source: Canham, W., & Stanish, W. (1986). A Study of the Biological Behavior of the Meniscus as a Transplant in the Medial Compartment of a Dog’s Knee. American Journal of Sports Medicine. Published September 1, 1986.
