Not too long ago, there was little your physician could do to prevent arthritis if you were young and tore the cartilage in your knee. But now many patients are finding hope in a new procedure called a meniscus transplant.

Not too long ago, there was little your physician could do to prevent arthritis if you were young and tore the cartilage in your knee. But now many patients are finding hope in a new procedure called a meniscus transplant. I am one of the few orthopaedic surgeons in the greater Houston area to offer this revolutionary surgical procedure. Without a meniscus, the joint deteriorates and can lead to early onset of osteoarthritis in just a few years. Up until a few years ago the treatment was to remove the entire cartilage wedge.

Now we know that without the protection of the meniscus, the surface of the knee joint degenerates rapidly, resulting in painful arthritis within 10 years for 70 to 90 percent of patients. When a meniscal or cartilage tear occurs, a repair is attempted. If a repair cannot be performed, a partial menisectomy or removal of part of the cartilage is the usual treatment. Patients who have had recurring tears and multiple surgeries to remove pieces of the cartilage or the entire cartilage are at an increased risk of developing arthritis. In these cases, a cartilage transplant is the treatment of choice. We are seeing younger and younger patients come in - 20 and 25 years old - with their knees totally shot. They would need a total knee replacement by their early 30's; that is far too young to have the procedure.

The meniscus transplant offers hope to these patients. The meniscus is crucial to the proper functioning of the knee. Acting as the knee's shock absorber, it plays an essential role in protecting the femur and tibia, the two major bones in the leg, from rubbing against each other. When the meniscus is damaged, significant pain can run along what is called the "joint line," the area o­n either side of the knee between the kneecap and the back of the knee. Anyone under the age of 50 who has had 50 percent or more of their cartilage removed is a candidate for a transplant. Also, anyone with a recent tear that cannot be repaired should consider a transplant. An X-ray and examination of your knee will determine if you can benefit from a meniscus transplant. Patients will have a 1-inch incision on the front of the knee, plus three "nicks" so small that a suture is not needed. Although recovery time for this procedure is a little lengthier, the patient benefits by preserving his own body tissue and joint surfaces.

Patients undergoing cartilage transplant can expect to be non-weight bearing for four weeks followed by a few months of physical rehabilitation.