Naples Orthopedic Surgeon - Dr. Robert J. Zehr » knee meniscus

Can knee meniscus be transplanted?

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:37:55 +0000

I’ve heard it’s possible to get a new meniscus if your own cartilage is torn beyond repair. Is this true?

Meniscal transplantation is in the works. It’s not done by all surgeons but it’s being studied by some. There are many questions left to answer before using this operation on a routine basis.

For example how much meniscus is really needed? What’s the best way to prepare donated tissue? How should it be put into the knee? How long does it last? What problems come up soon after the operation compared to years later?

Right now this method of meniscal “repair” is used in young patients who have already had the entire meniscus taken out. Pain and joint degeneration are the basic criteria for this treatment method. There’s about a 60 percent success rate. This means about 40 percent (four out of 10) of patients have a failed transplantation.

For more information on this subject, call The Zehr Center for Orthopaedics at 239-596-0100 or visit www.zehrcenter.com.The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

Trick knee not funny. What causes this?

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:49:14 +0000

In the last six months I seem to have developed a “trick knee.” Without warning it will lock up. Then without rhyme or reason, it will start moving again. What causes this?

The most likely cause for this is a torn meniscus. If the outer curve of the meniscus is torn, the inner portion can get stuck in the notch or opening for the ligaments. The terms “trick knee” or “locked knee” are used to describe the condition.

Usually the knee can still bend but can’t straighten. Sometimes the inner portion of the meniscus can slip back into place. Then the knee seems to work fine again. A minor injury can displace the torn cartilage again.

Most surgeons advise repairing a small tear before another injury tears it completely. Have an orthopedic doctor take a look soon.

Torn meniscus doesn’t always cause swelling

admin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:37:35 +0000

I tore the meniscus in my left knee while playing soccer on wet grass. I felt a wrenching sensation but kept playing because there wasn’t any swelling. I’m sure I reinjured it during the next game. Why didn’t the knee swell up to warn me of an injury?

There are two menisci between the shinbone (tibia) and thighbone (femur) in the knee joint. (Menisci is plural for meniscus.) The C-shaped medial meniscus is on the inside part of the knee, closest to your other knee. (Medial means closer to the middle of the body.) The U-shaped lateral meniscus is on the outer half of the knee joint. (Lateral means further out from the center of the body.)

The meniscus is thin but has a wedge shape when viewed from the side. The outer edge of the meniscus is thicker than the central part. There’s more blood supply to the outer edge. The inside or central part of the meniscus doesn’t have a blood supply. It gets its nutrients from the synovial fluid inside the joint.

The thicker wedge of the medial meniscus is attached to the joint capsule and ligaments. The thinner central portion is free to move in and out slightly during normal knee motion. Both parts of the meniscus work to give the knee joint a smooth fit and easy movement. Both functions are needed for the kinds of loads the knee holds up under.

Without a lot of blood vessels, injury results in pain but doesn’t cause swelling. A locking sensation or even “giving way” of the leg can occur when the meniscus is torn.

Bucket handle tear explained

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:40:21 +0000

I hurt my knee in a biking accident. The doctor said I tore the meniscus and called it a bucket handle tear. What does that mean?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint. It helps the joint move smoothly and acts as a shock absorber. It can also help transfer the load through the joint.

The knee joint has two menisci (plural), the medial (inner portion) and lateral (outer portion). When the outer edge of the cartilage is torn, it looks like a crescent-shaped moon or bucket handle.

At one time it was thought the meniscus didn’t have any real function. A tear would result in surgery to remove the whole thing. Later scientists found this treatment led to joint damage and early arthritis. Now most surgeons prefer to repair the tear or just take out the torn section.

A "loose body" in my knee joint? What is that?

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:49:27 +0000

Upon seeing my doctor for the popping, clicking, and swelling in my knee, I was told I have a “loose body” in my knee joint. What is a loose body, and where could it have come from?

A loose body is a piece of tissue from within a joint that has somehow become dislodged and floats freely in the joint. It can get caught between the joint when it moves, causing the joint to pop, click, catch, or even lock up. There are several conditions in the knee that can be sources of a loose body. A loose body can form if a section of the meniscus has torn loose, either from trauma or degeneration. A bone chip from a fracture can also become a loose body.

Another possible source for a loose body is osteochondritis dessicans (OCD), a condition in which a piece of cartilage and the underlying bone have been damaged. In some cases, the damaged fragment separates from the bone and floats freely within the joint. The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments.

The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit http://www.zehrcenter.com

The importance of the meniscus to the knee joints

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:45:53 +0000

What is the meniscus in the knee, and why is it important?

The meniscus is a tough, rubbery pad between the shinbone (tibia) and thighbone (femur) in the knee joint. There are actually two menisci inside the knee. The C-shaped medial meniscus is on the inside part of the knee, closest to your other knee. The U-shaped lateral meniscus is on the outer half of the knee joint.

The meniscus protects the knee by spreading out pressure and forces on the knee. Without it, these forces are concentrated to a smaller area, which puts more wear and tear on the joint. The meniscus also improves knee stability by forming a socket on the top surface of the tibia. This socket gives added support where the femur bone joins the knee.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com.

Can a partial meniscectomy be successful for seniors?

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:38:27 +0000

Can patients over 70 have good results from surgery to take out part of the knee meniscus?

They certainly can. A recent study evaluated the results of this procedure (“partial meniscectomy”) in 91 patients with an average age of 74. More than two-thirds of the patients had less pain after the procedure. Roughly four years later, these patients hadn’t had more surgery. They said they were satisfied with their results and would choose the procedure again.

Of course, these results aren’t as good as those commonly seen in younger patients. In general, researchers think that patients over 70 should proceed with caution when it comes to knee surgery. This is especially true for patients who have more knee arthritis or cartilage damage.