27 year old caucasian male. 5'8 and 235lbs (in San Mateo, California).

I've had 2 meniscus surgeries, one was for what I thought (I was young at the time, around 17 so 2004 or 5) was a stretched meniscus (this one was invasive, where the cut the side of my knee open and it required multiple staples to close), and one was afterwards to help alleviate some of the damage from the first one (I had a lingering ache/pain after the first surgery). The second surgery was done in about 2011. About a year after that surgery I began having aches in my knee again. I assumed it was from lack of muscle in the knee from the surgeries and lack of PT afterwards (the orthopedists never prescribed it after either surgery).

I had an MRI done earlier this week and saw another orthopedist that said the pain was likely caused by me having around (he guesstimated) 10% of my lateral meniscus left. This is concerning as after the meniscus goes, the cartilage will start rubbing against itself and then it will become bone on bone which is sub-optimal (all this according to him).

He said there were essentially two choices, one was live with it and be fit/active (I already am to a certain extent) and try to manage the pain.

The other was a meniscus transplant, which I have never heard about before. He said that if successful it might be able to add about 10-20 years to my knee life before it has to be replaced, and if successful would also eliminate the constant ache in my knee.

I am going to get a second opinion anyway, but thought I'd come in here and see if anyone had anything to share about this, whether you've had it, or heard about it. I've never heard of a meniscus transplant (always thought the whole knee was just replaced). The doc did say that they don't do these often, as the window for this type of surgery (low % of meniscus left, but no cartilage damage, and young) was rather limited. Is that accurate? He said only 2-3 of these per year...seems low?
user
27 year old Caucasian male with 2-3% of lateral meniscus left. Have had 2 meniscus
assistant
27 year old caucasian male. 5'8 and 235lbs (in San Mateo, California).

I've had 2 meniscus surgeries, one was for what I thought (I was young at the time, around 17 so 2004 or 5) was a stretched meniscus (this one was invasive, where the cut the side of my knee open and it required multiple staples to close), and one was afterwards to help alleviate some of the damage from the first one (I had a lingering ache/pain after the first surgery). The second surgery was done in about 2011. About a year after that surgery I began having aches in my knee again. I assumed it was from lack of muscle in the knee from the surgeries and lack of PT afterwards (the orthopedists never prescribed it after either surgery).

I had an MRI done earlier this week and saw another orthopedist that said the pain was likely caused by me having around (he guesstimated) 10% of my lateral meniscus left. This is concerning as after the meniscus goes, the cartilage will start rubbing against itself and then it will become bone on bone which is sub-optimal (all this according to him).

He said there were essentially two choices, one was live with it and be fit/active (I already am to a certain extent) and try to manage the pain.

The other was a meniscus transplant, which I have never heard about before. He said that if successful it might be able to add about 10-20 years to my knee life before it has to be replaced, and if successful would also eliminate the constant ache in my knee.

I am going to get a second opinion anyway, but thought I'd come in here and see if anyone had anything to share about this, whether you've had it, or heard about it. I've never heard of a meniscus transplant (always thought the whole knee was just replaced). The doc did say that they don't do these often, as the window for this type of surgery (low % of meniscus left, but no cartilage damage, and young) was rather limited. Is that accurate? He said only 2-3 of these per year...seems low?
user
Doc says I have about 10% of my meniscus left. Is this possible to make
assistant