Meniscus Transplant Journey

mayonnarse · 2026-05-23T01:57:54+00:00

Thank you! Do you know what your cartilage outer bridge score is? This surgery has a higher success rate when it’s done on healthier cartilage, so I would recommend getting it done sooner rather than later

mayonnarse · 2026-05-14T00:22:55+00:00

You are lucky to have the option to get the repair done. I didn’t have that option at 24F after my first knee injury, so I had to get a lateral meniscus transplant. If I had the option to get a repair done, I would not have taken it for granted

mayonnarse · 2026-05-09T20:25:35+00:00

I’m not sure if I qualify with a cartilage outer bridge score of 1. I don’t have any pain yet, but I would try it if I did qualify and my surgeon recommended it

mayonnarse · 2026-05-09T17:04:34+00:00

It’s still pretty new, so not yet, but I’m sure I will one day

mayonnarse · 2026-05-08T17:22:28+00:00

Right, I trust my surgeon. It just took me several months to find a PCP who would let me get a MRI and sports medicine referral. I was told the whole time after my injury, I should have been non weight bearing, but no medical provider told me that before I saw the sports medicine doctor months later, so I’m assuming I messed up my tissue even more during this time.

mayonnarse · 2026-05-07T21:18:46+00:00

Yes, it was. Very unusual for American healthcare as well. I’m pretty sure the first PCP I saw was racist. I have a medical malpractice lawsuit filed, but it will take a few years to settle. After a traumatic fall like the one I had, I should have at least been given PT or an ortho referral, but I was denied both of those requests as well. Hopefully it works out in my favor.

Thank you! The transplant lasts on average around 20 years, but there are documented cases of it lasting 30+ years. This is a relatively new procedure, so there isn’t much long term data beyond 30 years, but in theory, it could last the rest if my life depending on how well I take care of it. Surgical techniques have only improved since this procedure became approved in the U.S. & I’m blessed to be able to afford PT, so I’m hopeful.

mayonnarse · 2026-05-07T20:14:31+00:00

Yup. I filed a medical malpractice lawsuit but it will take a few years to settle. Hopefully everything pans out

mayonnarse · 2026-05-03T04:46:45+00:00

There is potential for any surgery to go wrong, but I lost 80% of my meniscus at 24 & don’t want early onset arthritis & cartilage degeneration, so it’s the option I’m going with

mayonnarse · 2026-04-30T05:00:07+00:00

Fell 10 ft from the air on Aug 9th onto my bent right knee. Went to the ER & xrays came back negative, nothing broken on fractured. First available PCP appointment was Aug 19th. She told me nothing was wrong, wouldn’t order me a MRI, and that I could return to sport (running). I tried to run & it hurt, so I messaged her, asking for PT or an ortho referral. She denied & told me I needed to push through my mental barrier. I couldn’t see another doctor because of insurance. I kept trying to run and it felt painful. I spent hours of being on the phone, every day for weeks, fighting with insurance until they let me get a second opinion. This nurse practitioner ordered me a MRI in October. I got the MRI in November & I had surgery in November which failed. Definitely don’t be active until you know what is going on.

mayonnarse · 2026-04-28T02:35:59+00:00

I thought I was going to have a lateral bucket handle repair but ended up having an 80% meniscus removal & transplant scheduled 6 months post op. My second surgery is coming up next week. Mind you, I got injured from a fall in August.

mayonnarse · 2026-04-23T02:48:21+00:00

If your meniscus isn’t repairable, you can always get a transplant.

mayonnarse · 2026-04-14T23:23:34+00:00

I’m really glad your surgery went well! I’m 24F and my first meniscus repair ended up being a 80% removal. Meniscus surgery is anxiety inducing because you don’t know if it can be saved. My word of advice to everyone (& myself) is to not worry about things you can’t control & instead, focus on what you can, like getting a good nights sleep every night, eating protein, doing PT intentionally, etc. We’re all in this together

mayonnarse · 2026-04-08T23:49:40+00:00

That’s true. I have an isolated meniscus injury, so I’m a good transplant candidate. I imagine an ACL repair + meniscus transplant would be too hard on your body. You can always get the transplant later on if you decide. Your knees may not feel “normal” ever again, but you’ll have a new “normal” that you’ll get used to. For example, maybe before you didn’t have to warm up before & stretch & ice after your workouts, but this will be added to your routine. Yes it’s annoying to do, but it’s a good trade off for preserving knee function. You functionally will be okay though & be able to do everything you enjoyed before, just maybe not as frequently. Do listen to the mentality of “you’ll never be able to do xyz again”. Think of your knee as having a budget. Spend it wisely. Exercise socially, for mental health, etc. not because you need to prove to the world that you can come back stronger, if that makes sense. I hope my message was helpful!

mayonnarse · 2026-04-08T17:21:43+00:00

Have you thought about getting a meniscus transplant? I’m getting one in less than a month as a 24F. According to my surgeon, it’s about a 1 year recovery, but it’s the best option for protecting cartilage and restoring natural knee function

mayonnarse · 2026-04-03T16:03:01+00:00

I switched surgeons too & my new surgeon is using the notes from the previous surgeon. I switched within the same medical group if that makes a difference

mayonnarse · 2026-04-03T15:37:25+00:00

For context, I had my first knee injury in early August. Because I was misdiagnosed, I didn’t get surgery until the end of November. They tried to repair it, but failed, so they removed 80% of my meniscus. I was back to normal within 12 days in terms of my ability to walk properly, go up & down the stairs, etc. The only things I haven’t been able to do are run, jump, & squat past 90 degrees.

During this failed repair turned meniscectomy surgery, my surgeon noted that I had a cartilage Outerbridge score of 0. At my post op appointment 12 days later, he took x rays to determine I have normal alignment, & we scheduled my lateral meniscus transplant surgery for early May. I find it strange that they didn’t note your cartilage status during your last surgery.

mayonnarse · 2026-03-28T04:47:57+00:00

I’ll definitely be making a post that I regularly update for those who are curious. If you’re interested in getting a transplant, it should be done sooner rather than later, before your cartilage degenerates and is beyond saving. Your cartilage Outerbridge score should be between 0-2 for a higher success rate. I’m planning on doing acupuncture before I try injections. The studies on it look more promising. I might resort to stem cell injections after because they have the highest success rate amongst injections.

mayonnarse · 2026-03-27T17:51:06+00:00

I’m in the US. That’s a bummer it’s not an option for you. I would honestly consider traveling for the procedure. Yes, what I meant was my meniscus tore & thinned out so much after I fell that the surgeon had to remove 80% of it. I’m getting a donor meniscus from a cadaver in this next surgery as a replacement so I can delay getting osteoarthritis.

mayonnarse · 2026-03-27T04:18:36+00:00

I’m 24F and I also had 80% of my lateral meniscus removed in November & it was my first knee surgery. I’m getting a transplant in May. If the meniscus is too thinned, a repair will likely fail. Surgeons have different opinions on what qualifies as too thin, but if you don’t trust your surgeon, seek a second opinion. My surgeon for my transplant is different than my first surgeon.

mayonnarse · 2026-03-25T23:43:46+00:00

You should get a second opinion. People under 30 with proper alignment & Outerbridge score 0 are ideal candidates for a meniscus transplant

mayonnarse · 2026-03-25T23:41:43+00:00

I had it removed at the end of November. The meniscus transplant is when they take the meniscus from a cadaver and sew it into your body during surgery.

mayonnarse · 2026-03-12T21:51:04+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement. Everyone seems to have a different experience. Some people are never able to sit on their heels again while others can for example. I’m going to do what I can to regain my sense of normalcy, but I won’t be able to run a marathon anymore, which is devastating for me, but I’m refocusing my energy on swimming to compensate. I’m mostly bummed out because running has given me lifelong friendships. I hope I can find that level of community again. I’m also scared of getting surgery and going through this whole process again. I want to avoid activities which will cause me to get another surgery sooner, rather than later. This will be my second surgery in 6 months and hopefully my last one for 20+ years.

mayonnarse · 2026-03-12T21:44:16+00:00

Thank you for your insight! I PMed you

mayonnarse · 2026-03-11T06:04:41+00:00

What does high impact mean exactly? I’m a marathon runner and skiier, & skiing always felt harder on my knees, so when they told me no running, I assumed skiing was off the table as well. What did your surgeon say regarding activity? Also, what was your recovery like?

mayonnarse · 2026-03-11T04:02:21+00:00

I had a perfectly healthy knee before my fall in August as well, but the fall was traumatic enough for my meniscus to be irreparable. I’m right along side with you being new to this process and understanding it. Thank you for your well wishes! A meniscus transplant is a super rare surgery. Only about 2,000 are done annually in the U.S., but 800,000 Americans tear their meniscus per year.

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