Meniscus Allograft transplant

Restoring Cushion, Protecting Cartilage, Preserving Your Knee for the Future

The meniscus acts like the shock-absorbing cushion inside your knee. When a large tear is removed or becomes irreparable, the knee loses this natural protection — leading to pain, swelling, and early cartilage wear. A meniscus allograft transplant replaces the missing meniscus with a size-matched donor meniscus, restoring the smooth “gliding” function of the joint.
Think of it as replacing a missing bearing liner in a machine so the system runs smoothly again.

Who Needs a Meniscus Allograft?

You may be a candidate if you have:

Persistent knee pain after a previous meniscectomy
Large or irreparable meniscus tears in young, active individuals
Early cartilage changes but not advanced arthritis
Symptoms like catching, swelling, or activity-related pain
Good knee alignment and stable ligaments

This procedure is often offered to patients who are too young for knee replacement but need long-term protection.

Why Is It Done?

A transplant aims to:

Restore shock absorption
Reduce pain from the “bone-on-bone” effect
Protect cartilage from further damage
Allow return to sports and active lifestyle
Delay or prevent early osteoarthritis

The Procedure

Performed arthroscopically through small keyhole incisions
A carefully size-matched donor meniscus is prepared
The graft is fixed securely using sutures and modern fixation techniques
Normal knee mechanics are restored by recreating the natural shape and tension of the meniscus

Most patients go home after 1-2 days

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Partial weight-bearing for the initial few weeks
Physiotherapy begins early for motion and muscle activation
Full sports return usually 6–9 months depending on healing
Regular follow-ups ensure smooth recovery

Expected Results

Most patients experience:

High satisfaction and long-term durability of the graftOur team guides you through every step — from surgery to full functional return.

Reduction in pain

Improved joint stability

Better ability to participate in sports and everyday activities

Slowing down of cartilage degeneration

Meniscus Allograft vs Tendon Autograft (Semitendinosus / Peroneus Longus)

Meniscus allograft transplantation uses a size-matched donor meniscus and remains the most established option, with strong long-term evidence for pain relief and cartilage protection. Tendon autografts like semitendinosus or peroneus longus offer a practical alternative when allografts are unavailable or costly, and early results show good symptom relief. Allografts provide tissue that closely mimics native meniscus structure, while autografts rely on tendon remodelling into a “neomeniscus,” with long-term durability still being studied. Donor-site morbidity is minimal with modern autograft harvest, but allografts avoid additional incisions altogether. In clinical practice, allografts remain the benchmark, while autografts are promising for selected young patients when access or affordability is an issue.