A porous polymer scaffold for meniscal lesion repair - a study in dogs

Longitudinal lesions were created in the avascular part of 24 canine lateral menisci and a partial-thickness access channel was formed, connecting the lesion with the meniscal periphery. In 12 menisci, the access channel was left empty (control group), while the polymer implant in the remaining 12 menisci was sutured into the access channel. Repair of the longitudinal lesions was achieved with and without polymer implantation in the partial-thickness access channel. Repair of the longitudinal lesions was achieved with and without polymer implantation in the partial-thickness access channel. Polymer implants induced fibrous ingrowth with cartilaginous areas, which resembled neo-meniscal tissue. Implantation did not prevent articular cartilage degeneration.