Formation of New Menisci after Polycentric Knee Arthroplasty: Report of Four Cases, One with a Bucket Handle Tear

Abstract

This paper presents four patients with polycentric artificial knee joints in whom reoperation revealed new menisci interposed between the artificial joint surfaces. One of the menisci had a bucket handle tear and was excised. Histological examination showed a fibrocartilage structure with the appearance of a newly formed meniscus. The artificial knees functioned well and the reoperations were performed because of trauma in one patient, because of femoro-patellar problems in one knee, and for conversion of a hemi-arthroplasty to an arthroplasty including all the compartments of the knee joint in two patients.

Key Words:

• Marmor knee
• meniscus tear
• polycentric knee arthroplasty
• meniscus regeneration
• St. Georg knee