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Information for Patients

From the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Meniscal Transplants

What Can You Tell Me About Bone and Tissue Transplantation?

Desgarro Meniscal (Meniscal Tear)

Save Your Knees!

Meniscal Transplantation

by Thomas R. Carter, MD

Over 750,000 meniscal tears are treated annually in the United States. The actual incidence of tears is much higher, but many patients either do not want surgical treatment or are asymptomatic. Approximately 60% of people over 60 years of age have meniscal tears.

This OKO topic provides a thorough discussion of meniscal allograft transplantation. Surgical techniques described in detail include the use of double bone plugs and bone bridges, including the keyhole, trough, and dovetail approaches. The dovetail approach is illustrated step-by-step on video.

Short-term results have been encouraging in terms of pain relief and improved knee function, although studies with midterm follow up indicate that graft durability is a concern. It has not been determined whether meniscal allograft transplantation can prevent or delay the progress of arthrosis.

Keywords: knee meniscus injury, knee meniscus tear, meniscal injury, meniscal tear, incidence, etiology, mechanism of injury, classification, diagnosis, patient history, physical examination, imaging, radiography, MRI, bone scan, scintigraphy, differential diagnosis, management, nonsurgical treatment, surgical treatment, surgical techniques, meniscal allograft transplantation, double bone plug technique, bone bridge technique, trough technique, dovetail technique, indications, contraindications, complications, outcomes, rehabilitation

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