Your knee has two pieces of wedge-shaped cartilage that are found on either side of it. Within each of these pieces of cartilage is a rubbery meniscus.
These menisci act like a shock absorber between the shin bone — tibia — and the thigh bone — femur. Along with another type of cartilage that caps both the femur and the tibia, these menisci help ensure that the tibia and femur are protected when they move together.
Your meniscus can become damaged due to an injury or another reason. The surgeon might need to remove this cushion.
However, doing so allows the ends of your femur and tibia to rub together unnaturally. The cartilage at the ends of your bones can degrade with the bones beneath it rubbing together. This can cause knee pain over time and, eventually, arthritis.
What is Meniscal Transplant Surgery?
Meniscal transplant surgery uses the meniscus from a cadaver to replace your own damaged or missing material. Taking place using general anesthesia, your surgeon begins by making a tiny incision in your knee.
Using special cameras and other instruments, the joint space between the tibia and femur is then accessed. The donated meniscus is then surgically sewn into that area. This surgery provides you with another option for dealing with a meniscus that is damaged or missing.
Are You a Good Candidate for Meniscal Transplant Surgery?
If your meniscus was previously removed during a surgical procedure, meniscal transplant surgery might be a good option. Less invasive than surgery that completely replaces the knee, it could help prevent arthritis and provide you with significant pain relief.
Other signs that meniscal transplant surgery might be a good option for you include if you:
- are missing over half of your meniscus
- have no or only minimal arthritis
- are not obese
- have persistent or significant pain with activity
- are 55 years of age or younger
- have an unstable knee
- have a knee with stable ligaments and normal alignment
- have a meniscus tear is large and irreparable
Meniscal Transplant Surgery Risks
Like any surgical procedure, meniscal transplant surgery comes with risks. While most people have this type of surgery without any side effects, the following complications are a possibility:
- anesthesia complications
- excess bleeding
- stiffness of the joint
- infection from the donated material
- incomplete healing that could mean you need another surgery
- infection
- damage to the nerves located nearby
If you are suffering from knee pain, an unstable knee, or you had your meniscal removed previously, you could find relief from meniscal transplant surgery. Contact your healthcare provider for more information. Additional imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and x-rays might be required prior to the surgery.