The knee, much like the shoulders, elbows, hips, and other important joints in our body, are complicated collections of bone, ligament, muscle, tendon, and more. When all of these pieces are functioning properly, we often don’t even think about the important role our knees play in our daily lives. But when any of the parts of the knee are damaged, then simple tasks like standing up, walking, or using stairs can become a major issue.
The menisci are small, rigid pieces in the knee that function as cushions between the shin and thigh bone. They reduce friction when the knee bends and absorb impacts that would otherwise travel through the bones. When there is a tear to either of the menisci, the knee suffers extensive damage to both the bones and the other soft tissues and can cause even more issues as the condition continues to worsen If you have a torn meniscus, working with an experienced surgeon is one of the best ways to identify the root cause of your pain and to develop a treatment that can help you get back to a pain-free life.
Treatment For a Torn Meniscus
Depending on the extent of the tear, a surgeon may be able to trim the meniscus at the torn section to allow the knee to return to normal function, or they may be able to repair the torn meniscus for it to function as a single, solid piece of cartilage again. However, if neither of these treatment options seems like they will be successful, then a doctor may opt for transplant surgery to replace the torn or damaged meniscus.
When Is It Time For a Meniscus Transplant?
Healthcare professionals will try to avoid a meniscus transplant unless it is clear that there are no other options to repair the knee. This is a complicated procedure, but a successful operation can lead to great success.
This procedure is much more invasive than trimming or reattaching a meniscus, so a surgeon will typically not suggest this operation unless you have chronic instability in your knee, you’ve had previous unsuccessful surgery, the tear in your knee is causing other cartilage to wear out, and you are younger than 55. You and your doctor will address many other factors as you work to determine whether or not this is a safe procedure for you and that your chances of a successful outcome are high.
Risks of Meniscus Transplant Surgery
Working with an experienced surgery team is one of the best ways to reduce risks with a procedure, but there will always be risks that you and your doctor will need to address before electing for this surgery. These risks include infections, blood clotting or loss, damage to the local nerves, allergic reactions, and the potential for the replacement cartilage to be rejected.
Following your doctor’s recovery plan is one of the best ways to help reduce the risk of potential issues after a meniscus transplant, and you can be confident that you will work through every detail of your condition before undertaking this procedure. Find a specialist in your area by calling 1-800-Injured. 1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can connect you with an experienced and certified professional in your area.