Who needs to have meniscus tear surgery?
What is a meniscus?
There are two menisci in each knee. These C-shaped rubber cushions act as shock absorbers in the knee joint. If your meniscus is injured or torn (also known as torn cartilage), your doctor may offer surgery to remove or repair the affected portion.
What is meniscus surgery?
Meniscus surgery is a frequent procedure for removing or repairing a torn meniscus, which is a portion of cartilage in the knee. The procedure takes roughly an hour and includes a few minor incisions. It takes a few weeks to recover and be rehabilitated. The operation can alleviate discomfort, increase mobility and stability, and return you to your daily activities. A torn meniscus, a portion of cartilage in the knee, is removed or repaired during meniscus surgery.
Who needs to have meniscus tear surgery?
Meniscus tear surgery is prevalent, particularly among athletes. A meniscus can be torn by a rapid twist, turn, or collision.
Menisci injuries are also common among the elderly. The menisci weaken over time and are more prone to tearing. Meniscus tears are, in reality, a common occurrence as part of the ageing process.
Many patients who have a torn meniscus opt for surgery because the injured cartilage can cause the knee to buckle and give way, produce discomfort and swelling, or cause the knee to become “stuck.”
What happens before surgery for a torn meniscus?
If you and your surgeon decide to proceed with torn meniscus surgery, you may be subjected to several preliminary testing. Blood tests, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and chest X-rays, for example, can assist in evaluating whether you are fit for surgery. (If you are in good health, these tests are usually unnecessary.)
Someone from the anaesthesia team will decide what kind of anaesthesia (pain relief) you should have:
- Local anesthetic is an injection that just numbs the area around your knee.
- A regional anaesthetic shot numbs your entire body from the waist down.
- General anesthesia is a sleep-inducing medicine.
If you have local or regional anesthetic, you may also be medicated to help you relax. Most commonly, you will get general anesthesia for this type of treatment.
Your doctor will do the following a few days before torn meniscus surgery:
- Offer you a prescription for pain relievers following the surgery.
- Arrange appointments for physical treatment or a fitting for crutches.
- Inform you on how to prepare for surgery. You may need to stop taking certain drugs and not eat or drink for several hours before the treatment.
What is the procedure for arthroscopic meniscus surgery?
Arthroscopic meniscus surgery is the most common treatment for a torn meniscus. It normally takes under one hour.
Initially, you will be sedated. The surgical team cleans the skin on your knee and wraps a surgical drape around the rest of your leg. To aid placement during surgery, the team may apply a clamp to your upper thigh.
The portals are small stab incisions (cuts) made in your knee by the surgeon. The team then injects sterile fluid into the knee joint. The fluid reduces minor bleeding in the joint and washes away debris, allowing the surgeon to look inside the joint.
The surgeon puts a small instrument known as an arthroscope into the incision. A narrow tube with a little light and a camera at the end is what an arthroscope is. A video image from inside your knee is shown on a monitor by the camera.
The surgeon examines the tear with an arthroscope to determine which surgical procedure to use:
Meniscus repair: The surgeon sews broken cartilage pieces back together so that they can mend on their own. Unfortunately, according to tear type and blood supply, only around 10% of tears are repairable.
Partial meniscectomy: The surgeon trims and removes the diseased cartilage while leaving healthy meniscus tissue in place.
What happens after a meniscectomy or meniscus repair?
Most meniscus repair or meniscectomy patients do not need to stay in the hospital overnight. You’ll be in a recovery room while the anesthetic wears off. Someone else will need to drive you home when you are ready to depart.
Meniscus surgery recovery
The recovery period for meniscus surgery is determined by the type of surgery performed. A meniscus repair heals more slowly than a meniscectomy. Meniscus surgery recovery time might range from six
weeks to three months. Following surgery, you may require the following:
- Crutches relieve stress on the knee while it heals.
- When you recuperate, use a knee brace to keep the joint stable.
- Medication for pain.
- Therapy for the body.
- Home rehabilitation activities to regain mobility, range of motion, and strength.
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).
Consult Dr. Sartawi for expert guidance
If you are looking to consult an expert and choose the treatment best suited to you, approach Dr Sartawi today. With extensive experience in the field, Dr Sartwai has helped several patients with meniscus tear surgery.
