Meniscal allograft transplantation

Meniscal lesions in the young population are very common because of the extensive sports activities performed with a high intensity. Very often it is not possible to treat tears with sutures and especially in adolescence a partial meniscectomy can mean the early onset of osteoarthritis. The treatment of an arthritically altered knee joint at a young age mostly represents a challenge which is very difficult or even impossible to overcome. Many different studies have shown a chondroprotective effect in these cases by treatment with meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT). The cost-effectiveness analysis with respect to the expected course is also in favor of this type of treatment; nevertheless, the indications for MAT must be very restrictive and the risk factors must be weighed up. Therefore, the limits and the not inconsiderable failure rate are demonstrated exemplified by the case presented.