Reconstruction of the posterior root of the medial meniscus in pigs with an autologous patellar tendon: an experimental study

The posterior horn of the medial meniscus (MMPR) bears a greater proportion of load through strong bone attachments than the anterior horn of MM, resulting in a higher injury rate. Removal and repair through the tibial plateau is the most commonly used surgical treatment, but long-term studies have found poor efficacy. The type I collagen fiber bundle of tendon tissue is the same as the part of the meniscus, and tendon reconstruction of the meniscus has not been reported in large animal models.Here, we established an animal model through Twelve pigs were selected and compared autologous patellar tendon reconstruction versus trans-tibial plateau pull-out repair.Autologous patellar tendon reconstruction of the MMPR can generate a fibrocartilage-like regenerative meniscus, and both reconstruction and pull-out repair can preserve the structural integrity of the meniscus, promote healing of the MMPR, delay the degeneration of the meniscus.Compared to tibial plateau pull-outrepair, the autologous patellar tendon reconstruction group has significant advantages in meniscus repair.