
Mashtaler Ortho&Trauma Medical Center became the first medical facility in Western Ukraine to perform a donor meniscus transplantation. This is an important milestone, as the procedure has been performed only eight times in Ukraine.
A patient who came to our clinic had suffered a serious knee injury while skiing several years earlier, which had not been properly treated. His anterior cruciate ligament was damaged, and his meniscus was almost completely destroyed. As the meniscus lost its ability to function normally, the load on the joint increased, leading to progressive cartilage damage and severe knee pain. The only effective way to restore knee function was a donor meniscus transplantation.
The operation lasted approximately three hours and was completed without complications. Arthroscopic guidance throughout the procedure helped minimize trauma to the surrounding tissues. The donor meniscus was supplied by the Ukrainian bioimplant manufacturer Probones.
The patient has already begun rehabilitation, and according to the medical team, the recovery is progressing well.
Meniscus injuries are most often associated with significant knee trauma. They commonly occur during sports such as football or skiing, as in our patient's case. However, a meniscus tear may also develop without a specific injury as a result of degenerative changes within the meniscal tissue. With age, the meniscus becomes increasingly susceptible to injury.
The more severe and longstanding the damage, the more extensive the required surgical treatment—from meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy to complete removal. In our patient's case, the meniscus was almost completely destroyed, making donor transplantation the best option for restoring knee function.
This treatment is generally recommended for patients under the age of 55 with severe, often irreversible, meniscus damage that causes persistent pain during physical activity.
This achievement represents more than just a new treatment option in orthopedics. It offers real hope to patients who previously had few options to reduce the risk of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis and eventually requiring joint replacement surgery. Replacing a damaged meniscus helps preserve knee joint function, which is especially important for people who lead active lifestyles.