Meniscus Transplantation

What Is Meniscus Transplantation?

Meniscus transplantation (or meniscus transplant) is the surgical procedure of implanting healthy meniscus tissue (allograft) obtained from a donor (cadaver) in place of a damaged meniscus that has lost its function or been removed for various reasons. The main goals of this procedure are:

• Reducing Pain: Relieving knee pain caused by meniscus deficiency.
• Improving Function: Increasing the knee’s range of motion and stability.
• Slowing Cartilage Damage: Restoring the meniscus’s shock-absorbing and load-distributing function to delay or prevent wear of the joint cartilage (osteoarthritis).

This procedure aims to restore knee biomechanics to as close to normal as possible and represents an important step in preserving knee health for suitable patients.

Why Is Meniscus Transplantation Needed, and Who Is a Candidate?

Meniscus transplantation is not a suitable solution for every knee problem. It is generally considered in the following situations:

• Complete Removal of the Meniscus (Total Meniscectomy): Cases where a large part or all of the meniscus has been removed — especially in young (<50-55 years) and active patients — with persistent complaints such as pain and swelling.
• Large, Irreparable Meniscus Tears: Cases involving tears in the avascular (non-blood-supplied) zone of the meniscus or complex, multi-fragment tears that cannot be repaired, requiring removal of a large portion of the meniscus.
• Early Cartilage Damage Due to Meniscus Absence: Patients who have begun showing early signs of cartilage wear due to meniscus deficiency but do not yet have advanced osteoarthritis.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Generally individuals under 55 years of age with an active lifestyle.
• Those experiencing knee pain and loss of function due to meniscus deficiency.
• Those without advanced cartilage damage (osteoarthritis) in the knee.
• Patients without additional problems such as malalignment (axis deviation) or ligament injury, or whose such problems can be corrected in the same session or beforehand.
• Those motivated enough to adhere to the long and demanding post-operative rehabilitation process.

Risk factors generally include prior major meniscus surgeries and other structural problems in the knee. For patients in Ankara, Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt determines suitability for meniscus transplantation through a detailed evaluation.

What Are the Symptoms of Meniscus Loss?

When the meniscus is significantly damaged or removed, the following symptoms may occur in the knee:

• Pain: Pain felt on the inner or outer side of the knee, especially with weight-bearing, twisting movements, or after prolonged activity.
• Swelling: Recurrent swelling due to fluid accumulation within the joint.
• Catching and Locking: A sudden catching or locking sensation during knee movement.
• Feeling of Instability: A sensation of the knee giving way or feeling unstable.
• Loss of Function: Difficulty with daily activities such as climbing stairs or squatting, and a decline in sports performance.

While these symptoms can also occur with other knee problems, they may suggest the need for meniscus transplantation, particularly in individuals who have previously undergone meniscus surgery.

How Is Meniscus Transplantation Diagnosed?

The decision for meniscus transplantation is made following a comprehensive evaluation process. Diagnostic methods include:

• Detailed Medical History (Patient History): The onset and nature of the patient’s complaints, prior surgeries, activity level, and expectations are questioned in detail.
• Physical Examination: Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt evaluates the knee’s range of motion, stability, specific tests for the menisci and ligaments, and tenderness. The overall alignment (axis) of the knee is checked.
• Imaging Methods:
  
  • X-ray: Weight-bearing X-rays in particular are used to assess joint space narrowing (cartilage wear) and bone structure. It is important that a patient being considered for meniscus transplantation does not have advanced osteoarthritis.
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Provides detailed information about the condition of the meniscus tissue, cartilage health, ligament status, and other soft tissues. MRI is used to assess how much of the meniscus is missing and whether the cartilage surfaces are suitable for transplantation.

Based on these evaluations, a decision is made as to whether the patient is a suitable candidate for meniscus transplantation.

Meniscus Transplantation as a Treatment Option

Meniscus transplantation is a surgical treatment option considered when a significant portion of meniscus tissue has been lost and conservative treatments (medication, physical therapy, injections) have failed.

Surgical Process:

• The surgery is generally performed arthroscopically (closed method) or through a small arthroscopy-assisted incision (mini-open).
• A donor meniscus tissue (allograft) of the appropriate size and side (medial or lateral meniscus) is placed inside the knee using specialized techniques.
• Sutures, bone tunnels, or special implants are used to fix the graft to the bone or surrounding tissues.
• If there are additional problems in the knee (ligament injury, cartilage damage, malalignment), these can also be treated in the same session as the meniscus transplantation or in a separate session.

At his clinic in Ankara, Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt draws on current techniques and his experience in complex knee surgeries such as meniscus transplantation to offer his patients the most appropriate treatment approach. Detailed pre-operative planning and evaluation are critical to a successful surgical outcome.

Risks, Benefits, and Recovery Process of Meniscus Transplantation

Like any surgical procedure, meniscus transplantation has potential benefits and risks.

Benefits:

• Significant reduction or elimination of knee pain.
• Improvement in knee function (movement, stability).
• The opportunity to return to daily activities and sports (usually at a lower intensity).
• Preservation of joint cartilage and potential slowing of osteoarthritis progression.

Risks:

• General Surgical Risks: Infection, bleeding, vascular and nerve injury, anesthesia-related complications.
• Graft-Related Risks: Rejection of the graft (transplanted tissue) by the body, tearing or loss of function of the graft over time, or failure of the graft to heal in place or displacement of the graft.
• Risk of Disease Transmission: Although donor tissues undergo very strict screening, there is theoretically (a very low probability of) a risk of disease transmission.
• Other Risks: Stiffness in the knee (restricted movement), persistent pain.

Recovery Process:

• The recovery process after meniscus transplantation is long and requires patience.
• After surgery, for a period (typically 4-6 weeks) the knee is kept non-weight-bearing or weight-bearing is controlled, and crutches are used.
• An intensive, long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation program is implemented to restore knee movement and increase muscle strength.
• Return to normal daily activities usually takes a few months.
• Return to sports (if appropriate) can generally take between 9 months and 1 year and occurs with the physician’s approval.
• The patient’s full adherence to the rehabilitation program is vital to the success of the recovery process.

Meniscus Transplantation in Ankara and Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt’s Approach

Meniscus transplantation is an advanced surgical technique that requires specialized expertise and experience. For patients considering meniscus transplantation in Ankara, an accurate diagnosis, careful patient selection, and an experienced surgical team are of great importance.

Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt has extensive experience in Ankara in the field of orthopedics and traumatology, particularly in knee surgery and sports injuries. In complex procedures such as meniscus transplantation, he aims to offer his patients the best treatment options by following current scientific data and modern surgical techniques.

Prof. Dr. Bozkurt’s approach to meniscus transplantation includes:

• Comprehensive Evaluation: Rigorously assessing the patient’s suitability for meniscus transplantation through a detailed history, physical examination, and advanced imaging methods.
• Patient-Centered Planning: Creating a personalized treatment plan that takes into account the patient’s age, activity level, expectations, and any additional problems in the knee.
• Detailed Information: Informing the patient, in language they can understand, about all the details of the meniscus transplantation procedure, its potential benefits, risks, and the long recovery process.
• Expert Surgical Technique: Performing the meniscus transplantation surgery using modern techniques and to high standards.
• Post-Operative Follow-up and Rehabilitation Management: Closely monitoring and guiding the post-operative follow-up and physical therapy process, which is critical to a successful outcome.

If you live in Ankara and are experiencing knee pain due to meniscus loss, you can consult Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt to find out whether meniscus transplantation is a suitable option for you.

Do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt, who practices in Ankara, to learn more about your knee health and meniscus problems, discover the most suitable treatment options for you, and evaluate the possibility of meniscus transplantation.

For detailed information and appointments, you can contact Prof. Dr. Murat Bozkurt at 0312 502 70 74.