Meniscus Transplant

Meniscus Transplant

The meniscus is an important structure that helps to distribute forces evenly across the knee joint. The loss of functioning meniscus is associated with increased loading of the cartilage and can lead to the early development of arthritis of the knee joint (wearing out of the cartilage surfaces on the end of the bones). Thus, the goal of meniscal transplant surgery is to eliminate the pain symptoms in the knee by replacing the damaged, non-functioning meniscus with a “new” allograft meniscus. The surgery to remove the remaining old broken meniscus and replace it with a new, functioning meniscus via transplant can alleviate pain and, optimistically, prevent progression of arthritis and deterioration of the knee joint. Meniscal transplant surgery is indicated for people who have lost meniscus from previous injuries and/or surgery, and have pain and symptoms from the loss of meniscus.