Overview
Patients around the globe turn to our knee surgeons and clinicians for their expertise in treating knee injuries and conditions ranging from ligament and meniscus tears to patellar dislocations, meniscal root injuries, meniscal ramp lesions and cartilage and joint problems.
Knee ligament injuries
Patients with complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), in which the ACL is in two pieces and can no longer stabilize the knee, may be referred for ACL reconstruction surgery. Mass General Brigham offers several surgical options to repair a torn ACL. Your doctor will discuss which is best for your unique case. Surgical options for torn ACL repair include:
- Allograft graft
- Bone-patellar tendon-bone graft
- Hamstring graft
- Quadriceps tendon graft
- Anatomic footprint ACL reconstruction
- Anterolateral ligament (ALL) reconstruction
Have you had unsatisfactory results with previous surgery to repair a torn ACL? Would you like a second opinion on a doctor's orthopedic recommendations? In cases like these, our knee surgeons can consult on and perform revision ACL surgery.
Meniscus tear surgery
Meniscus tear surgery options at Mass General Brigham include trimming the meniscus, repairing the meniscus or putting in a new meniscus.
Most often, meniscus surgery involves trimming back the torn portion of the meniscus and leaving behind as much of the fully functioning meniscus as possible. Meniscectomies are generally performed as day surgeries. Crutch use is usually optional and often only recommended for a couple of days. Physical therapy as well as home exercises are common for the first month after the surgery. Typical return to full activity is four to six weeks.
For some meniscus injuries, the surface of the meniscus can be repaired surgically. This procedure is most often performed during related surgical procedures such as ligament reconstruction (e.g., ACL, posterior cruciate ligament).
For patients who have had a meniscectomy and experience complications due to a lack of the meniscus, a meniscus transplant may also be an option.
Your Mass General Brigham knee surgery team
Meet Mass General Brigham's multidisciplinary team of knee surgeon experts.
Knee surgery for international patients
Each year, thousands of patients from more than 120 countries travel to Mass General Brigham for medical care, second opinions and treatments unavailable anywhere else in the world.
Our orthopedic teams are experienced in caring for knee surgery patients who are traveling great distances to our hospitals in Boston. Our orthopedic care team and the international patient services team help you prepare for and plan the appropriate amount of time to stay in Boston before and after your treatment or surgery. During this recovery time in Boston, our clinical team will monitor your healing and medications and prepare you for the rehabilitation stage of your care. Your Mass General Brigham care team will work with you and your providers at home to ensure you receive the properly scheduled follow-up appointments and a rehab physical therapy program that is right for you.
Many of our international patients have questions about everything from travel and lodging to scheduling appointments. Our International Patient Care Team is here to help. We look forward to making your Mass General Brigham experience as healing and stress-free as possible.
