[Meniscus replacement using Hoffa's infrapatellar fat bodies--initial clinical results]

Abstract

Between December 1986 and July 1988 a replacement of the absent medial meniscus was taken by means of the infrapatellar adipose body in seven patients. A replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament by means of the middle one third of the patellofemoral ligament was taken too. This operation was done for reconstruction of the synergism between the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. All patients are controlled in our special knee outpatient service. There were no complication postoperatively and on all seven patients a control arthroscopy was performed twelve months postoperatively. The subjective results are very satisfying because of the restoration of knee stability. The arthroscopic controls of the meniscal replacements, however, showed a reduction in size of the transplants after one year, the tissue was weak and not identical to that of a normal meniscus. Autologous strong tissue, e.g. quadriceps tendon, may have better presuppositions for meniscal replacement.