An Experimental Study on the Relationship between the Rotatory Instability and the Osteoarthritic Change after Meniscectomy

Abstract

An experimental effort to determine the degenerative effects in the articular cartilage of the knee joint caused by meniscectomy was performed by doing partial and total meniscectomies no the medial compartment of dog's knees.
At intervals of 1 to 12 month dogs were sacrificed and knee specimens were placed in an apparatus which recorded rotatory forces and angles. Rotatory laxity was observed between right and left knees of specimens. Gross and microscopic pathorogical changes in the articular cartilage were studied.
Result indicated that total meniscectomy leads to more severe joint instability and degenerative changes.
Therefore the menisci play on important role in preventing rotatory instability and protecting articular cartilage from degenerative changes.