Knee injuries can be debilitating and greatly affect a person’s quality of life. One of the common knee injuries is a torn meniscus. Menisci are crescent-shaped cartilage that acts as shock absorbers in the knee joint.

A torn meniscus can cause pain, swelling, and a mechanical locking sensation in the knee, making it difficult to walk and perform daily activities. The traditional treatment for a torn meniscus is a partial meniscectomy, which involves removing the torn piece of cartilage.

However, removing a significant portion of the meniscus can increase the risk of developing arthritis and lead to long-term knee problems.

Meniscus transplantation is an alternative treatment option for people with a torn meniscus. Meniscus transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves transplanting a donor meniscus into the knee joint.

The goal of the procedure is to restore normal knee function and prevent the development of arthritis.

What Is Meniscus Transplantation?

Meniscus transplantation is a surgical procedure that involves transplanting a donor meniscus into the knee joint. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

The surgeon makes small incisions around the knee and removes any remaining torn or damaged meniscus. The surgeon then prepares the knee for the transplant by smoothing any rough surfaces and cleaning the area to ensure that the new meniscus will bond properly.

The donor meniscus is taken from a deceased donor and carefully screened to ensure that it is a good match for the patient. The donor meniscus is then sized and trimmed to fit the patient’s knee joint.

The surgeon carefully positions the new meniscus in the knee joint and secures it in place with sutures.

After the procedure, a knee brace is worn for several weeks to protect the knee and allow it to heal. Physical therapy is also an important part of the recovery process to regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee joint.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Meniscus Transplantation?

Meniscus transplantation is an option for people who have a torn or damaged meniscus and have been experiencing pain and swelling in the knee joint. However, not everyone is a good candidate for meniscus transplantation.

The best candidates for the procedure are people who:.

Are under the age of 50
Have a stable knee joint
Are not significantly overweight
Do not have advanced arthritis in the knee joint

Prior to the procedure, a thorough evaluation is done to determine if the patient is a good candidate for meniscus transplantation.

Benefits of Meniscus Transplantation

Meniscus transplantation has several benefits over traditional treatments for a torn meniscus:.

Preserves the meniscus: Meniscus transplantation preserves the remaining meniscus and restores the normal shock absorption function of the knee joint. This can reduce the risk of developing arthritis and long-term knee problems.
Improves knee function: Meniscus transplantation can improve knee function and reduce pain and swelling in the knee joint, allowing people to return to their daily activities.
Long-term results: Meniscus transplantation has been shown to have good long-term results, with many people experiencing improved knee function and reduced pain for several years after the procedure.

Risks of Meniscus Transplantation

Like any surgical procedure, meniscus transplantation has some risks and potential complications:.

Rejection of the donor meniscus: There is a small risk that the body will reject the donor meniscus, although this is rare.
Failure of the transplant: In some cases, the transplant may not heal properly or the new meniscus may become damaged, requiring additional surgery.
Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection. This can be minimized by following proper post-operative care instructions.

Recovery from Meniscus Transplantation

The recovery period after meniscus transplantation can vary depending on the patient and the extent of the procedure. Generally, patients can expect to be on crutches for several weeks and will need to wear a knee brace.

Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process and may continue for several months after the procedure.

It is important to follow the post-operative care instructions provided by the surgeon to promote proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.

This may include limiting weight-bearing activities for several weeks, avoiding impact activities, and taking prescribed medication to manage pain.

Conclusion

Meniscus transplantation is an alternative treatment option for people with a torn or damaged meniscus. The procedure can restore normal knee function and reduce the risk of developing arthritis and long-term knee problems.

While the procedure has some risks and potential complications, it can have good long-term results for many patients.