Some of these include reduced or completely relieved knee pain, reduced risk of joint problems, improved mobility, increased stability, and restored function. Meniscus surgery is most likely to be successful if it is performed within the first two months after the injury. Surgery to Repair a Torn Meniscus in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Why won't my meniscus repair heal after surgery?
In order for the meniscus repair to heal, the tear must be near the outer edge in an area of good blood supply. Tears in the central portion of the meniscus will not heal after a meniscus repair because this part of the meniscus does not have a good blood supply.
What questions should I Ask my surgeon about meniscus surgery?
Ask your surgeon to tell you exactly what type of meniscus tear you have. Ask if there are different ways to repair it. Make sure you understand the surgeon's recommendation. Also ask about any preparation steps you should take before the operation.
Can a doctor tell if you have a meniscus tear?
To be sure, your doctor will probably have an MRI done. And they might look at the tear with an arthroscope. That’s a thin tool that has a camera and light at the end. It allows doctors to see inside your joints. If your doctor’s exam shows your meniscus tear is mild (Grade 1 or 2), you may not need surgery. If it’s Grade 3, you probably will.
How do you fix a torn meniscus?
He’ll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then he’ll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up. Your body will absorb these over time. Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Your doctor will remove a piece of the torn meniscus so your knee can function normally.
What is the success rate of meniscus repair?
Some studies have reported success rates for meniscal repair to be up to 60–90 % depending on the region of meniscal repair [7–10]. Meniscal repairs performed in conjunction with ACL reconstruction are generally thought to have a better healing rate than meniscal repair in knees with intact ACLs [7].
How long does a repaired meniscus take to heal?
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.
When do meniscus repairs fail?
Three months following meniscal repair if pain and disability persist, a failed meniscal repair may be suspected and can be confirmed by performing a repeat arthroscopy. Factors that may cause a failed meniscal repair include: Patients older than 40 years of age. Delayed treatment.
How do you know if I re tore my meniscus after surgery?
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.
Will my 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.
Can a meniscus be repaired twice?
An attempt should be made to preserve meniscal function by repairing tears, but even after arthroscopic confirmation of stable healing repaired menisci may tear again.
What does it feel like to Retear your meniscus?
Individuals with a meniscus tear often complain of pain along the joint line. They often have pain or weakness with bending the knee and sometimes they have a catching or locking sensation. With an acute tear, individuals may notice a lot of swelling in the knee and often report that they heard or felt a pop.
Can you damage a meniscus repair?
This is very unlikely. In the worst case scenario, a repairable meniscus would tear further and become unrepairable, and fragments of torn meniscus would injure the articular (gliding) cartilage leading to accelerated arthritis.
What happens when meniscus surgery doesn't work?
Doctors and researchers are confirming arthroscopic knee surgeries for meniscus and cartilage “repair” do not heal, do not repair, and may accelerate knee instability and the degenerative collapse of the knee.
Is walking good after meniscus surgery?
You can't walk right after surgery. How long recovery takes depends on the type of meniscus surgery and the severity of the injury, but expect two weeks down time, at minimum. The meniscus is a crescent-shaped pad of cartilage located in the knee that helps stabilize and cushion the joint.
How long should I wear a knee brace after meniscus surgery?
If you have a brace, leave it on except when you exercise your knee or you shower. Be careful not to put the brace back on too tight. You will use it for about 2 to 6 weeks. If your doctor does not want you to shower or remove your brace, you can take a sponge bath.
Why does my knee hurt months after meniscus surgery?
Swelling, infection, inadequate rehabilitation, spontaneous osteonecrosis, and arthritis in the joint are a few of the factors that cause continued knee pain after surgery.
How long does it take to walk after meniscus surgery?
Patients are usually out of the brace and walking without crutches around 2-3 months. When a patient is able to return to work depends on many factors. If someone has a relatively sedentary job that does not require prolonged periods of standing or walking, they may return to work relatively quickly.
What can you not do after meniscus surgery?
Meniscus (cartilage) Repair patients cannot do twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends or impact activities for four months. It is vital that meniscus repair patients do not squat for at least four months after the repair.
How can I make my meniscus heal faster?
To speed the recovery, you can:Rest the knee. ... Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. ... Compress your knee. ... Elevate your knee with a pillow under your heel when you're sitting or lying down.Take anti-inflammatory medications. ... Use stretching and strengthening exercises to help reduce stress to your knee.More items...•
What is the fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?
You will recover more quickly if you carefully follow all your doctor's instructions. In your first days after surgery, you will need apply ice frequently and elevate your knee above your heart to help relieve swelling. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, to help your body heal.
How to prepare for meniscus surgery?
Knowing the steps for preparing for meniscus surgery can help make your surgery a success. 1. Choose your surgeon with care. An orthopedic surgeon is the specialist who does meniscus surgery. Though the procedure is common, you want to choose a doctor with the right expertise and experience. Get references from other doctors and ask friends ...
How long after meniscus surgery can you go home?
You can usually go home a few hours after meniscus surgery. But you'll need someone to drive you home and help you get settled. 5. Plan for the best recovery. After surgery, your surgeon will probably bandage your knee and put it in a brace to protect it. Most people use crutches for a few weeks to a month afterwards.
How to repair a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus sometimes needs surgery to fix the problem. The surgeon may be able to perform meniscus repair surgery. Other times, the surgeon will remove the damaged cartilage. Meniscus surgery can help relieve pain and restore knee function. It’s usually arthroscopic, which involves smaller incisions and a faster recovery than open surgery. Even if you are a good candidate for meniscus surgery, the thought of undergoing the procedure might be overwhelming. Knowing the steps for preparing for meniscus surgery can help make your surgery a success.
How to tell if you have a meniscus tear?
Ask your surgeon to tell you exactly what type of meniscus tear you have. Ask if there are different ways to repair it. Make sure you understand the surgeon's recommendation. Also ask about any preparation steps you should take before the operation. Find out what will happen on the day of the procedure. Ask what the recovery process will be like. It helps to write down your questions before meeting with the surgeon. Write down the surgeon's answers, too, so you don't have to rely on memory.
How long does it take to recover from a knee replacement?
Rehab is an important part of regaining the use of your knee. So be sure to see a physical therapist if your surgeon suggests it. Recovery time ranges from about 4 weeks to 3 months.
What to do before surgery?
Before your surgery, fill your pain pill prescription. Acquire comfortable crutches too, as you may need them right afterwards. It’s also a good idea to make your first physical therapy appointment. Find out when you'll need to stop eating or drinking before surgery.
Is meniscus surgery necessary?
There are different types of meniscus surgery, depending on the nature of the tear. And, in some cases, surgery isn’t necessary because the meniscus will heal on its own. To find the best treatment for you, you need the right diagnosis. This process usually starts with a physical examination by your doctor.
Is Meniscus Repair Better?
Your surgeon may offer a meniscus repair as a possible treatment option. Studies suggest that if a meniscus repair is possible, the long-term outcome is better because of a decreased risk of arthritis later in life. 1 But not every meniscus tear can be surgically repaired.
What is the treatment for a meniscus tear?
A meniscal tear is an injury of the meniscus—a strong, supportive, and flexible tissue in your knee, and it can often be treated non-operatively. Non-surgical treatments for meniscus tear may include: Physical therapy. Strengthening exercises. Anti-inflammatory medications.
Why is meniscus repair surgery needed?
Why Meniscus Repair Surgery Is Needed. Surgical treatments include meniscectomy (partial or complete removal of the meniscus) or a repair of the tear. Meniscus tears that cause mechanical symptoms tend to respond well to surgical treatment. A mechanical symptom is caused by the torn meniscus physically impeding the normal movement of the knee.
What is partial meniscectomy?
A partial meniscectomy, which is partial meniscus removal, is usually done with a minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. A partial meniscectomy is the removal of only the torn segment of the meniscus. This works very well over the short and long-term if the meniscus tear is relatively small. But for some large meniscus tears, a sufficient portion ...
Why does cartilage wear away after meniscus removal?
This is thought to be due to a loss of cushioning and the diminished stability of the knee joint that occur s after a meniscus is removed. A partial meniscectomy, which is partial meniscus removal, is usually done with a minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. ...
What is a repair meniscus?
A repair involves reapproximating the torn edges of the meniscus to allow them to heal in their proper position so they won't get caught in the knee or cause mechanical symptoms.
What happens when you remove a meniscus?
This is thought to be due to a loss of cushioning and the diminished stability of the knee joint that occurs after a meniscus is removed.
How to repair a meniscus tear?
If your doctor’s exam shows your meniscus tear is mild (Grade 1 or 2), you may not need surgery. If it’s Grade 3, you probably will. Your doctor might choose to do any of the following: 1 Arthroscopic repair. Your doctor will make small cuts in your knee. They’ll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then they’ll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up. Your body will absorb these over time. 2 Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Your doctor will remove a piece of the torn meniscus so your knee can function normally. 3 Arthroscopic total meniscectomy. During this procedure, your doctor will remove the whole meniscus.
What to do if you have a grade 3 knee tear?
If it’s Grade 3, you probably will. Your doctor might choose to do any of the following: Arthroscopic repair. Your doctor will make small cuts in your knee. They’ll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then they’ll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up.
How to repair a tear in the knee?
Arthroscopic repair. Your doctor will make small cuts in your knee. They’ll insert an arthroscope to get a good look at the tear. Then they’ll place small devices that look like darts along the tear to stitch it up. Your body will absorb these over time.
What happens if you tear your meniscus?
If you tear your meniscus, your leg might swell and feel stiff. You might feel pain when twisting your knee, or be unable to straighten your leg fully.
What is the C-shaped disc in the thigh called?
Physical Therapy. You have two C-shaped discs of cartilage (soft tissue) that connect your thigh bone to your shinbone. These are called menisci. They’re like shock absorbers for your bones. They also help to keep your knee stable. Athletes who play contact sports like football and hockey are prone to meniscus tears.
How long does it take to recover from a meniscectomy?
They may also share some exercises you can do at home. If you have a partial or total meniscectomy, you can expect your recovery to take about a month.
Is meniscus repair low risk?
Meniscus repair is low-risk. Complications are rare. They may include injury to skin nerves, infections, and knee stiffness. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help stave off infection. They may also recommend compression stockings to help prevent blood clots.
