Information about Arizona Injuries and Meniscal Transplantation Surgery
by Phoenix Personal Injury Attorney - Mark Breyer
The meniscus is a C- shaped cushion of cartilage in the knee joint. Many knee injuries occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, or negligent taking care of another person where a person falls in someone else's care.
A torn meniscus may also be referred to as torn cartilage. A meniscus tear often occurs during a car accident or another form of extreme impact like a Phoenix slip and fall. If a meniscus is so badly damaged and cannot be repaired it may need to be removed or trimmed out. Meniscal transplants can offer a great deal of relief for those in pain.
The goal of the meniscal transplant surgery is to replace the meniscus cushion before the articular cartilage is damaged. The donor cartilage supports and stabilizes the knee joint. The hope is that the transplant will also delay the development of arthritis. Donor cartilage can be taken from a healthy cadaver called an allograft. The cartilage is sized, tested, and stored. Correct sizing is the most important factor in the success of the transplant.
Although meniscal transplant surgeries have been performed for over 20 years, the procedure is still less common. This is largely due to the strict criteria patients must meet to be considered for the procedure. The criteria includes being younger than 55 years and physically active, missing more than half of a meniscus as a result of an injury, persistent activity- related pain, knee with stable ligaments, no or minimal knee arthritis, and not obese.
Surgical complications include the risk of bleeding, infection, and nerve of blood vessel injuries, stiffness, and incomplete healing. After the surgery patients will need to wear a knee brace and use crutches for the first 4 to 6 weeks. Once the initial pain and swelling has settled down, physical therapy can begin. Most patients are not able to return to work for at least 2 weeks. Many patients with active jobs require 2 to 3 months of rehabilitation before returning.
Being involved in a car accident or any other type of accident caused by the negligence of someone else can be a very painful time in ones life. The Husband and Wife Law Team are available for a free consultation regarding your Phoenix personal injury case and rightful compensation.
