Have you ever had a sudden, sharp pain in your knee while playing, running, or jumping? Or is your knee swollen and difficult to bend or straighten? The main reason for this could be damage to an important part of your knee called the meniscus. Many people suffer from this pain for a long time. But today we are going to talk about a successful solution to this, which is surgery to replace the damaged meniscus with a new one.
What is Meniscal Transplantation?
Simply put, a meniscus transplant is a surgery that removes the damaged, torn meniscus in your knee and replaces it with a healthy meniscus.
Now you may be wondering, "What is this meniscus?" Imagine, inside your knee, where the femur and the tibia meet, there are two pieces of rubbery cartilage in the shape of the letter "C" that prevent those two bones from rubbing against each other. That's what we call the meniscus. These are like the 'shock absorbers' of a car. Their main function is to absorb the pressure on the knee and protect the joint when we walk, run, and jump.
In this surgery, a healthy meniscus is transplanted from a deceased donor (cadaver) . This is called Meniscal Allograft Transplantation (MAT) in medical science. This can reduce knee pain and restore knee function. Also, this surgery helps prevent knee wear and tear, i.e. osteoarthritis, at a young age.
Who can have this surgery?
This surgery is not for everyone. Your doctor will consider several factors to determine if you are a good fit for this procedure.
| Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Age and activity | This surgery is usually performed on people under the age of 40-50 who lead active lives. Especially athletes. Although it can be done on young children, doctors recommend waiting until their bones are fully developed. People who control their weight and are healthy are more likely to have the surgery. |
| Knee condition | If you have a large part of your meniscus removed or if it is severely damaged , you may be eligible for this. But the most important thing is that there is no significant damage to the other parts of the knee, that is, the other cartilage and ligaments. The knee must be stable. |
| Arthritis condition | If you already have arthritis in your knee (knee osteoarthritis), this surgery may not be right for you. This is because if the cartilage in your knee is too worn down, the surgery will not be successful even if a new meniscus is inserted. |
Knee injuries are very common, especially among young athletes. A sudden twist in the knee can damage the meniscus. If the damage is severe, the torn part may need to be removed (meniscectomy). Living without a meniscus increases the risk of future knee wear and tear and chronic pain.
This surgery not only reduces knee pain and improves knee function, but it also helps prevent the development of osteoarthritis at a young age.
What happens before the surgery?
Since this surgery uses a meniscus from a deceased donor, it is carefully examined before the surgery.
- Disease screening: The donor's meniscus is checked for disease.
- Size and shape: A meniscus is selected that is the exact size and shape for your knee. It is then preserved in a special freezer.
As you prepare for surgery, your doctor will tell you these things:
- Tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, especially blood thinners , as they may be asked to be stopped a few days before surgery.
- They will ask you to take a good look at the inside of your knee and do an MRI or X-ray .
- You will be advised to stop eating and drinking after a certain time the night before surgery.
This surgery is done in a hospital operating room. Before the surgery begins, you will be put under general anesthesia. So you will not feel any pain during the surgery.
How is the surgery done?
This surgery is often performed using knee arthroscopy.This is a 'key-hole' surgery. That means no large incision is made.
1. The doctor inserts a small camera through a very small incision in the knee. This camera allows the inside of the knee to be clearly seen on a screen in the operating room.
2. Looking at those images, small surgical instruments are inserted through another small incision.
3. Using these instruments, the remaining pieces of damaged meniscus are removed from the knee and a new, healthy meniscus is transplanted into its place.
4. Special sutures or small screws are used to attach this new meniscus to the kneecap and other parts of the knee.
5. Finally, the incisions are cleaned and the knee is covered with a bandage.
What happens after the surgery? How long does it take to recover?
You may be able to go home the same day after surgery, or you may need to stay in the hospital for a day or so. These are things you need to take care of during your recovery.
- Using crutches: You will need to use crutches for about four to six weeks .
- Knee Brace: You have to wear a special support to keep your knee stable and prevent it from moving.
- Rest and Physical Therapy (PT): Physical therapy is an important part of the healing process. Your doctor will recommend a PT program that is right for you at the right time. These exercises strengthen the muscles around your knee and gradually increase your range of motion.
The most important thing is to give the newly transplanted meniscus time to heal properly. Therefore, you will need to stay away from strenuous sports and strenuous work for 6 months to a year .
Things to watch out for after surgery
Like any surgery, there are some risks involved. Complications are rare. However, you should be aware of the following symptoms. If you notice any of these, contact your doctor immediately.
| Feature to pay attention to | Description |
|---|---|
| Bleeding | If the cuts continue to bleed. |
| Severe pain | If you have severe pain that cannot be controlled even after taking painkillers. |
| Signs of infection | Symptoms such as fever , severe swelling of the knee, and pus oozing from the wounds. |
Rarely, damage to the nerves or blood vessels in the knee, stiffness of the knee, or problems with healing may occur. Sometimes a second surgery may be necessary. Therefore, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
Take-Home Message
- Meniscus transplant surgery is a good treatment option that helps active young people with severe damage to the meniscus in the knee return to normal life without pain.
- This surgery can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in the future.
- This is not a surgery for everyone. If you have arthritis, this may not be a good option for you. Your doctor will decide if this is right for you.
- For the surgery to be successful, physical therapy must be done properly and the necessary time must be given to heal.
- If you experience any unusual symptoms (severe pain, swelling, fever) after surgery, notify your doctor immediately.
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