Have you been suffering from knee pain for a long time? Perhaps you are tired of sudden pain that comes on while playing sports or climbing stairs? One reason for this could be damage to the part of your knee called the 'meniscus'. Many people are not aware of this. So today we are talking about a modern treatment for this, which is the Meniscal Transplantation surgery, which replaces the damaged meniscus with a new one.
First, let's see, what is this meniscus?
Think of your knee as a shock absorber in a car. The meniscus is the one that absorbs all the pressure and shock that comes to the knee when we walk, run, and jump, and prevents the two bones from rubbing together.
Simply put, this is a piece of rubbery, C-shaped cartilage inside your knee joint. There are two of these in every knee. One on the inside and one on the outside. Without these, the bones of the knee (the femur and tibia) start to rub against each other. That's when the pain becomes unbearable and over time the joint starts to wear down.
So what is this meniscal transplantation?
This is a very simple procedure. Your damaged, torn, or previously surgically removed meniscus is replaced with a healthy meniscus. Doctors call this a meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT).
An allograft is a tissue that is taken from someone else. This surgery uses a healthy meniscus from a deceased donor. This donor tissue is tested for various diseases, confirmed to be safe, and the size that is exactly right for your knee is selected and used for the surgery.
The main goal of this surgery is to reduce knee pain, restore knee function, and prevent the development of osteoarthritis, the wear and tear of the joints at a young age.
Who is this surgery best suited for?
This is not a surgery that everyone can have. Your doctor will consider several factors to determine if you are a good fit for this procedure.
| Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Age and activity | This is usually most successful for people under the age of 40-50 , who lead an active life, especially those who play sports. Maintaining a healthy weight is also very important. |
| Knee condition | Most of the meniscus must be missing or severely torn, but it is essential that the other parts of the knee (bone, cartilage, ligaments) are healthy. |
| Arthritis | If you already have severe knee arthritis, meaning that a lot of the cartilage in the joint has worn away, this surgery may not be successful. Therefore, this is a treatment that is done before arthritis develops. |
How is the surgery done?
This surgery is usually performed using a technique called knee arthroscopy . This involves performing the surgery through two or three very small incisions in your knee, rather than making a large incision.
1. A small camera is inserted into the knee through one of the holes and the contents are viewed on a large screen.
2. Very fine surgical instruments are inserted through other holes and the damaged parts of the meniscus are removed.
3. Then, the previously selected healthy donor meniscus is inserted into the gap and secured to the knee with special sutures or small screws.
This method results in shorter healing time, less pain, and no major scarring.
What happens after the surgery? How long does it take to recover?
The healing process after surgery requires a bit of patience.
- Immediately after: You will need to use crutches for about 4-6 weeks. You will also be given a special brace to prevent your knee from bending excessively.
- Physiotherapy (PT): This is the most important part. You need to do the exercises exactly as your doctor and physical therapist give you. This will help strengthen the muscles around the knee and allow the knee to move better.
- Return to activity: While you can return to normal activities within a month or two, activities that put a lot of stress on the knee, such as sports, will require a 6 to 12 month break. This time is essential for the newly transplanted meniscus to heal properly.
What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?
Like any surgery, this one has benefits as well as some very minor risks.
| Advantages | Risks |
|---|---|
| Knee pain is gone and you can be active again. | As with any surgery, there is a risk of bleeding and infection. |
| Preventing or delaying the onset of arthritis at a young age. | Damage to the nerves or blood vessels in the knee (very rare). |
| Faster recovery than open surgery. | Knee stiffness. |
| Restoring the natural function of the knee. | The transplanted meniscus may not heal properly or may tear again (this may require another surgery). |
When should I see the doctor after surgery?
If you experience any of the following symptoms after surgery, notify your doctor immediately.
- Persistent bleeding or pus-like fluid leaking from cuts.
- Having a severe fever .
- Excessive swelling of the knee.
- Severe pain that cannot be controlled even with painkillers.
Take-Home Message
- Although meniscus replacement surgery is a good solution for knee pain, it is not suitable for everyone. Your doctor will determine if you are a good fit for this procedure.
- Physiotherapy is essential for the success of the surgery.
- It takes between 6 and 12 months to fully recover and return to activities such as sports, so it is important to be patient.
- Talk openly with your orthopedic surgeon about the cause of your knee pain and what the best treatment options are for you.
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