Total menial meniscectomy was carried out on 30 mature rabbits; subseq
uent regeneration of the meniscus and degenerative joint changes were
observed. Out of 30 knees, 22 had regenerated menisci and 10 of these
had not developed gross degenerative changes after 6 months. Collagen
fibres were arranged irregularly in the regenerated menisci, although
in some areas they occurred in parallel. Every type of mechanoreceptor
was found in the outer third of the normal menisci, and in the middle
and outer third of the regenerated menisci with no statistical differ
ence in numbers. Mechonoreceptors can regenerate in regenerated menisc
i and may protect the join from degeneration.