ASST Bergamo Ovest performs rare meniscus transplant on 12-year-old

Medical professionals at ASST Bergamo Ovest have successfully performed a rare arthroscopic meniscus transplant on a 12-year-old patient at the Treviglio hospital. The procedure aimed to restore mobility and prevent early-onset osteoarthritis.

The young patient suffered from discoid meniscus, a congenital malformation that caused progressive pain and cartilage damage. A previous surgical intervention had failed to alleviate the symptoms. To ensure a future of full mobility, the Orthopedics and Traumatology team, directed by Raymond Klumpp, opted for a meniscus replacement—a procedure described as infrequent and reserved for highly selected cases, particularly rare in pediatric patients.

The success of the operation relied on collaboration with the Tissue Bank, which provided a donor meniscus with perfectly compatible anatomical characteristics. The tissue was cryopreserved and decontaminated according to strict safety protocols before being implanted using advanced arthroscopic techniques. The patient has since begun a rehabilitation program to regain the ability to run, jump, and walk without pain.