Who should consider allograft meniscus replacement surgery?
Meniscus replacement is considered when: • the patient is healthy and wishes to remain active, • the patient understands the rehabilitation, and accepts the risks of surgery, • the patient experiences pain located in the same area, from which a significant portion of meniscus has previously been removed no less than six months prior, • the patient is not overweight, • the patient is skeletally mature and less than 50 years old, • the knee alignment is normal with stable ligaments • the knee does not have significant injury to the articular (gliding surface) cartilage or evidence of arthritis on x-rays, and • the surgeon is experienced in meniscus replacement What happens without surgery? Unfortunately, most patients who have significant portions of their meniscus removed develop arthritis over the ensuing decades. A few of these patients develop activity related pain in the region of meniscus removal prior to the development of arthritis. These patients have an opportunity for allograf
