Response of the lateral meniscus of the dog to wide incision and repair of the meniscotibial ligament.

Abstract

The effects of extensive incision and reattachment of the coronary ligaments on meniscal healing in the canine were examined. Through an extensile exposure to the lateral tibial plateau, nine mongrel dogs underwent wide incision, reflection, and subsequent reattachment of their meniscotibial ligaments. At intervals of 3, 6, and 9 weeks, three dogs were killed and a gross and microscopic evaluation of their menisci and perimeniscal tissues was performed. At 3 weeks, a small region of the central meniscal periphery was found to be devoid of a vascular network. By 6 weeks, the entire peripheral vasculature had reconstituted. No specimen demonstrated histologic evidence of meniscal necrosis or degeneration. Healing occurred by fibrovascular scar.