About Meniscus Transplantation
Key Highlights
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Restores natural knee biomechanics and shock absorption.Effectively reduces chronic knee pain and swelling.Improves joint stability and function, enhancing mobility.Can delay or prevent the progression of osteoarthritis.Offers a solution for patients who are not candidates for meniscus repair.Often performed using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent knee pain and dysfunction following a complete or subtotal meniscectomy (removal of the meniscus).
- Younger, active patients (typically under 50-55 years old) with a desire to return to an active lifestyle.
- Localized knee pain in the compartment where the meniscus is missing.
- Knee instability or locking sensations due to meniscal deficiency.
- Early signs of joint space narrowing (early osteoarthritis) in the affected compartment.
- A stable knee with intact ligaments and correctable alignment.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive medical evaluation, including a detailed history and physical examination of the knee.
- Advanced imaging such as MRI and X-rays to assess bone and cartilage health and plan graft sizing.
- Blood tests and other pre-operative screenings to ensure fitness for surgery.
- Discussion of anesthesia options (typically general or regional) with the anesthesiologist.
- Arranging for a matched, sterile meniscus allograft from a certified tissue bank.
- Pre-operative instructions including fasting guidelines and management of current medications (e.g., stopping blood thinners).
- Planning for post-operative support, including crutches and assistance at home.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Infection, bleeding, or adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Graft-related issues: Failure to heal, rejection, or shrinkage of the transplanted meniscus.
- Stiffness or limited range of motion in the knee joint.
- Persistent pain, swelling, or instability.
- Damage to surrounding nerves, blood vessels, or cartilage.
- Progression of arthritis despite the procedure.
- Rare risk of disease transmission from the donor tissue (highly mitigated by rigorous screening).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate post-op: Knee will be immobilized in a brace; weight-bearing is typically restricted for 4-6 weeks using crutches.
- Pain and swelling management with medication, ice therapy, and elevation.
- Initiating physical therapy within days to weeks to restore range of motion and strength.
- Gradual progression from non-weight-bearing to full weight-bearing as guided by the surgeon.
- Focus on low-impact activities (like swimming or cycling) for several months before considering high-impact sports.
- Regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing via clinical exams and imaging.
- A full return to sports or strenuous activities may take 9 to 12 months or longer.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-3 days
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Expected recovery time: 6-12 months for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering meniscus transplantation in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for meniscus transplantation in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform meniscus transplantation. MediFyr helps you compare orthopedists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for meniscus transplantation compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Meniscus Transplantation in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated orthopedics teams and experience managing patients undergoing meniscus transplantation.
Rohan Williams, a 32-year-old high school...
Rohan Williams, a 32-year-old high school physical education teacher and former college soccer player, had his athletic career cut short by a severe knee injury at age 21. He underwent a partial meniscectomy, which relieved pain initially but led to progressive osteoarthritis. Over the last five years, Rohan developed constant, deep aching in his knee, significant swelling after walking or standing to teach his classes, and a disturbing grinding sensation. An MRI confirmed severe cartilage wear in the compartment where his meniscus was missing. His orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Chen, explained that at his young age, a total knee replacement was a last resort. She recommended a meniscus transplant to restore the knee's natural shock absorption, reduce pain, and hopefully delay joint replacement for decades. Rohan underwent the allograft transplant surgery, followed by a strict, challenging 9-month rehabilitation protocol. He worked diligently with physical therapy, initially on crutches, gradually rebuilding strength and range of motion. A year post-op, Rohan's grinding pain is gone. He can walk without a limp, coach from the sidelines without swelling, and even play light recreational soccer with his friends. Emotionally, he transitioned from feeling like his body was betraying him and fearing a future of disability, to regaining hope and a sense of physical autonomy. The procedure gave him back not just function, but the joy of an active life.
Orthopedists for Meniscus Transplantation
Explore experienced orthopedists who regularly perform meniscus transplantation and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 48 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 25 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 14 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 19 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 28 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Orthopedist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore