• OBJECTIVE
    • To evaluate the mid- to long-term clinical outcomes of all inside arthroscopic suture lateral meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT) combined with different cartilage repair techniques, microfracture (MF) or osteochondral autograft transplantation systems (OATS), in the treatment of lateral meniscal deficiency with concomitant lateral compartmental chondral lesions of the knee.
  • METHODS
    • A retrospective study was conducted on 22 patients who underwent arthroscopic lateral MAT combined with cartilage repair between June 2013 and December 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. All patients were diagnosed preoperatively by MRI and confirmed via arthroscopy to have lateral meniscal deficiency with local cartilage lesions of the lateral femoral condyle. The cartilage defects were less than 2 cm2 in size and classified as ICRS grade III-IV. Based on lesion characteristics, patient age, and activity level, either MF or OAT was performed in combination with lateral MAT. Postoperative assessments included knee function (Lysholm and Tegner scores), pain levels (VAS score), and MRI evaluation of meniscal graft integrity and cartilage repair status.
  • RESULTS
    • All patients completed the follow-up. Lysholm, Tegner, and VAS scores improved significantly at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 5 years postoperatively compared to preoperative values (P < 0.05), with sustained improvement observed through the final follow-up. MRI showed intact meniscal grafts in 20 cases (90.9%), while graft failure due to tear was identified in 2 cases. The overall rate of excellent or good cartilage repair (ICRS grading) was 59.1% (13/22). No major complications such as infection or common peroneal nerve injury were observed.
  • CONCLUSION
    • Lateral meniscal allograft transplantation combined with microfracture or osteochondral autograft transplantation with all inside arthroscopic suture is a safe and effective treatment for patients with lateral meniscal deficiency and small-to-moderate local cartilage lesions, yielding sustained improvement in knee function, pain relief, and cartilage repair outcomes in the mid- to long-term.