What This Procedure Involves
A size-matched donor meniscus is inserted through an incision and sutured into position, replicating native attachments. Bone plugs anchor the horns. Takes one and a half to two hours.
Meniscal allograft transplant replaces a previously removed meniscus with a donor meniscus from a tissue bank, performed in younger patients with a meniscus-deficient knee.
A size-matched donor meniscus is inserted through an incision and sutured into position, replicating native attachments. Bone plugs anchor the horns. Takes one and a half to two hours.
For patients under 50 with a removed meniscus, pain, minimal arthritis, stable aligned knee, and intact cartilage.
Physiotherapy, unloader bracing, osteotomy, injections. Partial knee replacement in older patients.
MRI, alignment X-rays, donor sizing from tissue bank.
Reduced compartment overload, improved joint protection. 70–85% graft survival at five to ten years.
Six to nine months.
During healing.
Temporary.
15–30% at ten years.
Joint infection.
Extremely rare.
General or spinal anaesthesia.
Non-weight-bearing four to six weeks. Running at four to six months. Sport at six to nine months.
Reviews at two, six weeks, three, six months, one year. MRI at one year.
Approximately 70–85% survive at five to ten years.