Load-Bearing in the Ovine Medial Tibial Condyle: Effect of Meniscectomy

Abstract

SummaryTotal removal of a knee joint meniscus is followed by osteoarthritis in many mammalian species. Altered load-bearing has been observed in the human knee following meniscectomy but less is known about biochemical effects of meniscectomy in other species. Using pressure sensitive paper in sheep knee (stifle) joints it was found that, for comparable loads, the load-bearing area on the medial tibial condyle was significantly reduced following medial meniscectomy. Also, for loads of between 50 N and 500 N applied to the whole joint, the slope of the regression of contact area against load was much smaller. Following medial meniscectomy, the ability to increase contact area as load increased was markedly reduced.The load bearing area on the medial tibial condyle was reduced following meniscectomy.