CHENNAI: A meniscal transplant facility coming up in the city will provide young patients with damaged knee ligaments and meniscal cartilage a viable and less expensive alternative to total joint replacement. The Multi-Organ Harvesting Network (MOHAN) Foundation, which already has an existing network with several leading hospitals for organ transplants, has agreed in principle to partner the Knee and Shoulder Clinic for the meniscal transplant programme. The transplant programme will use cartilage harvested from 12 hours brain-dead patients or cadaver donors. Shock absorbers The two menisci on each side of the knee joint act as shock absorbers. Without the protection of the meniscus, the surface of the knee joint degenerates rapidly and precipitates painful and disabling arthritis. Transplants are useful for patients who have damaged one or both menisci. "We are working out the modalities of the transplant programme and expect to be ready for the first procedure by August-end," said A.K. Venkatachalam, orthopaedic surgeon at Knee and Shoulder Clinic who has undergone training in tissue transplants from Belgium. The meniscal transplant facility will benefit young patients, particularly sportspersons and two-wheeler users who tear ligaments or damage the knee joint in mishaps. Recent research also shows that the transplant can help older patients with arthritis postpone the need for knee replacement. An allograft [from the same species] meniscal transplant can be performed by open or arthroscopic technique. It involves an incision not exceeding two inches and a day's hospitalisation. The cartilage harvested from one patient can help at least four patients with a single meniscus damaged. The transplant is likely to cost Rs. 1 lakh, while a total joint replacement costs anything upwards of Rs. 2 lakhs.