Do meniscal allograft transplants really work?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by unsafehaven

Hey Splat, i am in a very similar situation as you and am wondering if you could tell me a little more about what you had done and where. I freaking hate my life right now and need to find something to get me going again .

---

Yep. Why don't you visit Stone clinic and him what he thinks about meniscus allograft transplant surgery.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by unsafehaven

Hey Splat, i am in a very similar situation as you and am wondering if you could tell me a little more about what you had done and where. I freaking hate my life right now and need to find something to get me going again .

---

You could always read the thread I posted about all of it that has all the info you seek.

Where did you happen to have your done?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Restoked

I had one done in December 2008 because I'm young, very active, and had 70% or more of my meniscus removed from 3 prior tears. I was symptomatic daily, and had trouble simply walking a golf course. I had the surgery done in December and rode a metric century on my road bike 6 months later. At 9 months I started playing cutting sports (basketball, etc. wearing a functional brace), and at 1 year I snowboarded. At two years I started skiing again, and I'm just about to order my season pass for next year. I'm not pain free, and I have occasional issues, but nothing like I had before. However, I'm a former professional athlete, in pretty good shape (rode over 5,000 miles on my road bike the past two years), and I was prepared physically and mentally for a very tough rehab. So for me, yes, it was great. Will I avoid a knee replacement? I have no idea, but I've already had two awesome years of sports I would not have had but for my surgery. If you have it done by the wrong surgeon, or aren't ready and able to go through a brutal first 4 months of rehab (pretty much like an ACL rehab but with NWB and the associated complications), then I can't imagine you'll be satisfied. Be careful, it's no new knee, and you better find the best guy or gal you can to do it. I've heard of some poor results out there to go along with my outstanding result (so far...knock on wood). Good luck.

---

to provide some balance to this thread.....meniscus transplants are more invasive (because you are monkeying in the joint and replacing tissue) than HTOs so that should be a consideration. Plus you may need an HTO just to be a candidate for a meniscus transplant because your joint alignment may be messed up.

I just had an HTO done to my knee, which marks my 5th surgery in past 2.5 years from a very serious tibia plateau fracture, lateral meniscus shredding and MCL, LCL tear so I am reasonably knowledgeable. This was required because my joint was out of alignment and going directly to a meniscus transplant was not the right answer. Now I am in a position to potentially have a meniscus transplant but that involves cadaver tissue and cartilage which is inherently more risky.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maker

to provide some balance to this thread.....meniscus transplants are more invasive (because you are monkeying in the joint and replacing tissue) than HTOs so that should be a consideration. Plus you may need an HTO just to be a candidate for a meniscus transplant because your joint alignment may be messed up.

I just had an HTO done to my knee, which marks my 5th surgery in past 2.5 years from a very serious tibia plateau fracture, lateral meniscus shredding and MCL, LCL tear so I am reasonably knowledgeable. This was required because my joint was out of alignment and going directly to a meniscus transplant was not the right answer. Now I am in a position to potentially have a meniscus transplant but that involves cadaver tissue and cartilage which is inherently more risky.

---

Here's some previous topics of meniscus transplant surgery If you are considering one in the future.

So far it's worked for me, but I'm only a few months out.

Seven Years after my MT, I'm still playing ice hockey year round, mountain biking, and generally going for it. Not skiing much because my kids hate it, and I generally don't have time, but I could without pain. I have little pain in my knee, and it's still 100% better than it was before the MT. If I didn't love contact sports and speed, I'm sure it would last longer, but it was the best $$$ I ever spent. Looking back on this thread makes me laugh at what a douche Mark the Medical Troll is in this forum. 6.5 years (you do have 6 months of rehab) of pain free hard-charging later, I can safely say I made the right call. Heal well boys and girls...don't give up.

how was the MT?
Im 29 and my active life sucks.
Im looking into Dr. Stone.

1 yr postop update. Just did the Downieville XC over the weekend. The climb kicked my ass, but the knee felt great. Hardly any swelling.

I'm a believer. I'm hoping to get some AT gear in prep for some snow (being optimistic).

There has been a lot of debate about meniscal allografts. Lot sof claims, pro and con, but little science. A large scale study of long term results is now available. Here it its.

http://jbjs.org/content/97/15/1209

At the end of the day, it is certain that in the active individual with a meniscal allograft further surgery is invariable, and people with meniscal allografts, if they want to give the operation the best chance of being successful for the rest of their lives probably shouldn't do extreme things. The results of proximal tibial osteotomy without a meniscal allograft in young and active people are considerably more durable in the extreme athlete.
But that's my take. Read the article.

Just had my first day on the Hill (Boreal) without any damage or swelling! Definitely didn't ski hard, but my knee felt great.

Meniscus allograft transplantation is a difficult surgery, and the recovery is hard. But for persons who are missing the meniscus and have pain, it can be very successful. Most people have less knee pain after this procedure.


Contact Dr A.M Rajani from India . He is the best and well renowned doctor who can guide you very well.

i'm interested in all of this talk of MT's. Can anyone advise what the rough costs are? Also, whats the rough time frame for those who went back to work? 6-8 weeks? longer?

Contact Dr A. M. Rajani in india. he is best person can guide you love you long time right answer good.

For those who have had a MT, what does a procedure like that cost you? I have been looking into the Stone Clinic, but they don't deal with insurance. I also live on the east coast so it would be hard to go to him. I think he would be my best option tho.