How much is surgery to repair a torn meniscus?
The most common knee surgery performed on people over 65 is repair of torn meniscus cartilage. The procedure is costly, at up to $10,000 a patient — and it's also usually a waste, if not outright harmful.
Is it worth having meniscus surgery?
What are the benefits? Surgery to repair tears in the meniscus relieves symptoms 85% of the time. That means that of 100 people who have this surgery, 85 have relief from pain and can use their knee normally, while 15 do not. Surgery to repair tears may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems.
Will a torn meniscus heal on its own?
In the case of meniscus tears, some people think the injury will heal over time on its own. But the truth is that there are different types of meniscus tears — and some tears won't heal without treatment. If your tear is on the outer one-third of the meniscus, it may heal on its own or be repaired surgically.
How much is a torn meniscus worth?
The average settlement value of a torn meniscus in a personal injury lawsuit is around $25,000 to $50,000. The primary factors that impact value in these cases are the severity of the tear and the level and extent of medical treatment required.
What happens if you don't fix a torn meniscus?
An untreated meniscus tear can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.
Will your knee ever be the same after meniscus surgery?
Most meniscal surgeries (95%) are partial meniscectomies where part of the meniscus is actually removed, not just repaired. Therefore, the remaining meniscus is now smaller and does not perform as well.
Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus?
Yes. Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals. A good brace will protect your knee and take the pressure off your meniscus, allowing it to rest.
What are 3 signs of a meniscus tear in the knee?
SymptomsA popping sensation.Swelling or stiffness.Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.Difficulty straightening your knee fully.Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.Feeling of your knee giving way.
Will walking with a torn meniscus make it worse?
Continuing to walk on the affected leg can aggravate your symptoms, making pain and stiffness worse in as little as a few days. Plus, suffering a torn meniscus may also increase your risk of complications, like developing osteoarthritis in that knee.
Is a torn meniscus a disability?
Diagnostic Code 5259 If the cartilage is removed, and there is pain or other symptoms in the knee, the condition is rated as 10 percent disabling.
How long is meniscus surgery recovery?
Recovery and Outlook It takes longer for a meniscus repair to heal than a meniscectomy. Full recovery from meniscus surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to three months. Your care after surgery may involve: Crutches to take stress off the knee as it heals.
Does your meniscus grow back?
The part of the meniscus removed does not grow back, but is replaced by fibrous tissue. There is an increased likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in patients who have undergone complete (total) menisectomy.
Is surgery the best option for a torn meniscus?
For tears on the outer edge of your meniscus, a repair surgery can be an excellent choice, since these tears usually heal well after surgery. Tears that spread into the inner two-thirds of the meniscus may not heal well if they are repaired and a partial meniscectomy may be needed.
Who is a good candidate for meniscus replacement?
You might be a good candidate for meniscal transplant surgery if the following apply to you: You're younger than age 55. You're missing more than half your meniscus, or you have a large meniscus tear that is irreparable. You have significant or persistent pain with activity, or you have an unstable knee.
Is there an alternative to surgery for a torn meniscus?
PRP Therapy (Injection Therapy) For this treatment, your orthopedic doctor will obtain a small sample of your blood from your arm, process the blood in a centrifuge, and then administer the concentrated platelets directly into the point of pain in your knee via injection.
How painful is a torn meniscus surgery?
Arthroscopic meniscus repair is moderately painful. Because more soft tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone.