'Cartilage transplantation from donor' is performed for many years in USA. Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gokhan Meric, "Healthy cartilage from donor is transplanted to the patients such as liver and kidney." he said.

Yeditepe University Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gokhan Meric, gave important information about Cartilage Transplantation. Untreated cartilage problems can cause joint disruption and arthrosis. More than 5000 patients need this treatment Approvals for Cartilage Transplantation have been obtained from Ministry of Health.

One Stage Surgery

In previous cartilage treatments for large cartilage lesions, the cartilage sample taken from the patient with the operation and a cartilage membrane producing from this sample in the laboratory environment and placed in to the damaged area of cartilage with second surgery. Prof. Dr. Gokhan Meric, Cartilage transplantation was performed in one session, he said.

Cartilage transplantation based on the placement of the live cartilage tissue from the donor to the damaged area, Prof. Dr. Gokhan Meric, gave the following information: "With Cartilage transplant, harvested viable cartilage cells from donor transplanted to the injured people while cartilage tissue maintaining the viability. This treatment method recommended especially for young patients with large cartilage defect or patients with failed other previous cartilage treatments. We received our permission from the Ministry of Health on this issue, "he said.

Return to the Previous Activity Level of Athletes 70 Percent

Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gokhan Meric shared the following information about the operation: It is very important for us to be able to transport the cells alive. We perform serological tests to protect tissue from contamination. The operation takes one hour and patients needs to stay only 2 days after the operation. The patient can return to his/her daily activity 4-6 weeks after the operation. Patients do not have to use a drug after transplantation, unlike kidney and liver transplantation. Osteochondral allograft transplantation in an athletic population for cartilage defects in the knee allows for a high rate of return to sports and it’s about 70 percent. ”

More Successful In Young Patients

Cartilage can be brought from abroad and transplanted with this method but the cartilage tissue need to be frozen and cells lose viability and its increase the cost. Prof. Dr. Gokhan Meric, "Frozen cartilage brought from abroad performed many countries, but cartilage cells can lose the viability and this situation can reduce the success rate of the transplantation. We have the chance to get  fresh cartilage with alive cells without losing the vitality and success rate is much higher with fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation.’’

Yeditepe University Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gokhan Meric, gave the following information: “We apply cartilages to the patients under the age of 45. Cartilage damage is seen in 30 percent of the knee surgeries. 15-20 percent of these patients may have excessive cartilage damage. Patients with the large cartilage problems may need cartilage transplantation. Especially in young patients more successful results are achieved with this treatment. In addition, we have the opportunity to treat patients who have been treated before but could.