While a full knee transplant typically refers to replacing the entire joint, a cartilage transplant is a procedure to replace damaged cartilage within the knee. Here's a breakdown of how cartilage transplantation, a form of knee transplant, is performed based on the provided reference:
Cartilage Transplantation in the Knee: A Two-Step Procedure
This process involves two separate surgeries spread out over several weeks.
Step 1: Arthroscopic Cartilage Harvesting and Cell Culturing
- Arthroscopic Surgery: Initially, surgeons perform arthroscopic surgery. This minimally invasive technique involves small incisions and the use of a camera (arthroscope) to visualize the inside of the knee joint.
- Cartilage Removal: A small section of healthy cartilage is removed from a non-weight-bearing area of the knee.
- Cell Culturing: The harvested cartilage tissue is then sent to a laboratory. In the lab, the cartilage cells (chondrocytes) are isolated and cultured. This culturing process allows the cells to multiply and grow in number. This process takes approximately four to five weeks.
Step 2: Open Surgery for Cartilage Implantation
- Open Incision: After the cell culturing is complete, a second surgery is performed. This surgery involves a larger, open incision to access the damaged area in the knee joint.
- Cartilage Transplant: The newly grown cartilage cells, cultivated in the lab, are then transplanted into the damaged area of the knee. These cells will hopefully integrate with the surrounding tissue and regenerate healthy cartilage.
In summary, based on the reference: First, arthroscopic surgery will be performed to remove a small section of healthy cartilage from the knee joint. The tissue is then cultured in a lab to allow new cells to grow. Four to five weeks later, a second, open-incision surgery will be performed to transplant the new cells into the damaged joint. (27-Jul-2020)
