What is Meniscus Tear Surgery?

Meniscus tear surgery is a procedure in which an orthopedic surgeon repairs the damaged meniscus ligament present in the knee joint. A meniscus tear can occur because of an injury such as a sudden fall, sports injury, accident, etc. This surgery helps in restoring the mobility and stability of the knee joint.

Different Types of Meniscus Tear Treatments

After a thorough diagnosis, an orthopedic doctor recommends the best-suited treatment to repair the meniscus tear. The following are the different types of procedures used for treating meniscus tear according to its severity-

• Partial MeniscectomyDuring this procedure, the doctor trims the damaged meniscus tissue. This aid in restoring the full range of motion post meniscus surgery.

• Meniscus RepairIn this procedure the doctor stitches the torn meniscus tissues with sutures. The procedure is recommended when the meniscus injury is severe or the tear in the issue is wide and needs reconstruction to restore the mobility of the knee joint.

What happens during Torn Meniscus Treatment?

Diagnosis before Meniscus Tear reatment

An orthopedic surgeon conducts a thorough physical examination to assess the severity of the meniscus tear. The doctor will ask about the symptoms, the intensity of the pain in the knee joint, if any injury happened, and how, etc. S/he will also put slight pressure to check the tenderness and swelling around the affected area. In addition, to detect the severity of the meniscus tear, the surgeon will recommend a few diagnostic tests such as-

• MRI- To get a clear image of the torn meniscus tissues and ligaments.

• X-Ray- To get a clear image of the knee joint in order to find any underlying bone problem

Procedure of meniscus tear surgery

You can expect the following things during meniscus surgery-

• An anesthetist will administer anesthesia to prep and numb the affected area for the surgery.

• The orthopedic surgeon will clean the area with a solution to make a few incisions to proceed with arthroscopic surgery.

• The surgeon will use an arthroscope to insert from one incision and will put surgical tools from another incision to repair the meniscus tear.

• Once the surgery is completed, the surgeon will seal the incisions with sutures and put a bandage on it to secure the surgical site.

When is meniscus surgery required?

If you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms, it can be an indication of a meniscus tear and you may need medical assistance for the same. Some of the signs can be-

• Swelling around the knee joint

• A popping sensation during the knee injury

• There is difficulty in bending or keeping the leg straight.

• Not able to move the legs because of stuck-up knee joint

How to prepare for meniscus surgery?

The following are a few tips that can help you prepare for meniscus surgery-

• Tell your doctor in detail about the injury.

• Let your doctor know about your medical history and medicines in advance if you are taking any.

• Get your diagnostic tests on time as recommended by the doctor to initiate the treatments.

• Avoid eating food at least 8 hours before surgery to eliminate the risk of allergy to anesthesia.

• Keep your home prepared before your surgery to make it more accessible and comfortable for your recovery duration.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Meniscectomy

Meniscectomy is an advanced surgical procedure that is performed with a minimally invasive technique. The following are the benefits of undergoing minimally invasive meniscectomy as compared to the traditional method of meniscus repair-

• A faster recovery with minimal discomfort

• Reduced chances of excessive bleeding

• Fewer chances of post-surgical complications

• Minimal to no chances of infection

• The size of incisions are smaller

• The success rate is higher than in conventional surgery