Meniscus Transplant - Who's It For & What To Expect

What Meniscus Transplant Surgery Restores

The meniscus is the knee’s shock absorber. When part or all of it is torn, removed, or no longer functioning, more force passes directly through the joint. Over time, that can lead to pain, cartilage wear, and arthritis.

Meniscus transplant surgery replaces missing meniscus tissue with donor cartilage. The goal is to restore cushioning, reduce pain, protect the joint surface, and help the knee move more naturally again.

Who Is a Meniscus Transplant For?

Many meniscus transplant patients come to The Stone Clinic years after a sports injury, failed meniscus repair, or prior meniscectomy. Often, part of the meniscus was removed earlier in life, the knee felt better for a while, and then pain, swelling, or arthritis developed over time.

Meniscus transplantation may be an option for active people who are missing the knee’s shock absorber and want to preserve their natural joint. It may also be considered for patients who have been told to wait for knee replacement, but still have enough joint space to qualify for biologic knee replacement.

What to Expect After Meniscus Transplant

Meniscus transplant recovery is active and staged. Early on, the priority is protecting the new meniscus while healing begins. Rehab starts the first day after surgery. However, patients typically use crutches and a brace, then gradually progress into walking, range-of-motion work, strength training, and sport-specific rehabilitation.

Return to work, running, and sports depends on the complexity of their case, the demands of each patient's recovery goals, and the patient's commitment to their physical therapy program. The StoneFit rehab team guides each stage of recovery, with the goal of helping patients return to activity fitter, faster, and stronger than they've been in years. 

Follow-up visits are built into the recovery process so Dr. Stone and the care team can monitor healing, adjust the plan, and help guide the quality of your outcome.

For more detail, review our Meniscus Transplant Rehabilitation Protocol.

Learn More About Meniscus Transplant and BioKnee

For a deeper look at meniscus transplantation, biologic knee repair, and related treatment options at The Stone Clinic, explore:

• Meniscus Transplant Center
• An Alternative to Knee Replacement: the BioKnee
• Saving My Knees Guide

Download the Saving My Knees Guide to learn how BioKnee procedures may help you delay or avoid artificial knee replacement.

Could Meniscus Transplant Help You Stay Active?

If you are missing part or all of your meniscus, replacing the knee’s shock absorber may help reduce pain, preserve your joint, and help you stay active for a lifetime. 

Book a consultation with Dr. Stone to find out if a meniscus transplant can help you return to sports and delay or avoid knee replacement.