Aim:The aim of our study was to assess the therapeutic effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in an animal knee lesion complex associating a large osteochondral defect and meniscal defect resulted from partial meniscectomy, a clinical situation that occurs quite often in orthopedic practice. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one male rabbits were included in the study, and all underwent initial surgery on the right knee to create the osteochondral defect on the internal femoral condyle, and remove the anterior horn of the internal meniscus, simulating a clinical situation. Rabbits were separated in three study groups: control, PRP group, in which three PRP injections were administered, and BMAC group, in which one single BMAC injection was administered. At the end of the six months follow-up period, knees were harvested and further analyzed using confocal microscopy and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the articular surface. Results: Therapeutic groups had better results concerning articular surface remodeling and joint degeneration indicators in comparison to trauma group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that using post-operative regenerative therapies does improve final results concerning surface contact remodeling that was investigated using confocal microscopy and should be considered a valid treatment adjuvant in managing patients with this type of lesion complex, as it improves global joint outcome.

Meniscus injuries are the most common traumatic conditions of the knee. If until the early 2000s, menisci were considered structures of no major importance in the knee joint, subsequent studies have shown their importance in the biomechanics of the knee. Their role is not only for the natural suspension of the joint, but also for the protection of the cartilage or the achievement of the efficient and uniform circulation of the synovial fluid. Therefore, disruption of this joint balance can lead, in the absence of a well-conducted treatment, to premature knee wear. Most of the time, these meniscal tears are accompanied by associated lessions, ligaments or more severely cartilaginous lessions, creating a real challenge for the physician, specially for young pacients. There are many conservative treatments of the damaged meniscus, imagined precisely in the idea of preserving the menisci as much as possible. However, this is not always possible, especially due to the type of traumatic injury.

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Traumatic lesions of the knee joint represent one of the most frequent lesions, found especially in young, active people. The most often structures affected are menisci, cruciate ligaments, and cartilage. Identifying of new reconstructive techniques and implants for the treatment of these complex lesions represents a constant challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Our paper tries to present the utility of some implant techniques along with our experience and the results obtained in our clinic.