Meniscus Repair

Dr. Frank Cannon

Dr. Frank Cannon

Dr. Frank Cannon is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon that specializes in treating patients that have knee, shoulder, and hip problems.

Meniscus TearWithin your knee is a piece of C-shaped cartilage known as menisci that allow the knee to move smoothly. Your knee is like a hinge that needs this cartilage to act as a cushion and stabilizer, otherwise the bones where your tibia and femur meet would painfully rub together. Just like any other part of the body, the menisci can wear down overtime or succumb to injury. A meniscus tear occurs when this cartilage tears, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness. When a meniscus tear is severe enough, your doctor may recommend meniscus surgery to repair the damage and return normal range of motion.

The idea of undergoing surgery to have part of your knee removed can be intimidating, but as you will see below, this surgery has very few related complications and may be your best chance at regaining mobility in your damaged knee.

PreparationĀ 

Meniscus Tear SurgeryCandidates for meniscus repair donā€™t just include athletes. While itā€™s true that sports, especially contact sports, can lead to injury, a meniscus tear can just as easily result from climbing a flight of stairs. And the odds of developing a meniscus tear only increase as we age. The day-to-day movements we make break down cartilage overtime and only make a meniscus tear more likely with each passing day. In fact, most patients over the age of 65 have a meniscus tear. Those who are overweight are also at an increased risk of developing a meniscus tear due to added stress being put on the knee joint.

Some people never experience symptoms, but many do. When a person hears or feels that distinctive POP, there are a number of symptoms that could follow:

  • Pain, swelling, and stiffness
  • Popping sound while moving
  • Weakness that leads to the knee giving way
  • Knee locking into place (requires surgery to repair)

Candidates for meniscus repair and their doctors will likely first explore other treatment options. In minor cases, bedrest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and cold therapy are enough to strengthen the knee while it heals.

Beware: a knee brace may actually exacerbate your injury because it constricts an already swelled injury. Your doctor may also suggest physical therapy, a conservative treatment option that centers around exercise programs to strengthen your knee. Whether you and your doctor decide on at-home care, physical therapy, or surgery, the ultimate goal is the same: bring strength and mobility back to your knee.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Ultimately, the decision to undergo meniscus repair is yours. If youā€™ve lost functionality in your knee and are unable to do the everyday things you love, these are the biggest indicators that surgery is right for you. However, surgery may be an immediate requirement in severe cases.

Meniscus Tear RepairMeniscus repair surgery is a procedure used to repair either the medial or lateral menisci. During this minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, your doctor gains access to the knee through small incisions. By inserting an arthroscope, a medical device with a light and camera, your doctor can view the damage and determine how best to proceed. Depending on the severity of the tear, your doctor may perform:

  • Arthroscopic Repair: the torn cartilage is stitched together
  • Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: a piece of the damaged cartilage is removed
  • Arthroscopic Total Meniscectomy: the entire meniscus is removed

Of course, your doctors goal will be to save as much cartilage in your knee as possible. Although a partial meniscectomy will lead to a better long-term outcome, thereā€™s no reason that those who undergo a total meniscectomy canā€™t return to their normal lives after a recovery period. All in all, the surgery lasts for roughly one hour.

What are the Risks?

As mentioned above, meniscus repair is a low-risk procedure. There are rarely complications, and your doctor will work with you to ensure that any complications are mitigated. For example, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infections before they have a chance to start. Blood clots are another possibility, but thatā€™s nothing that a pair of compression stockings canā€™t prevent. As with all surgery, there are certain risks; however, the benefits of a strong, functional knee far outweigh the minor risks associated with meniscus repair.

How is the Recovery Process?

In most cases, patients are discharged the very same day of surgery. Your knee will be wrapped it in a bandage, and you can expect a small amount of drainage from the surgery site. You will also be given instructions on how to care for your knee. For example, you will need to elevate your knee while you are lying in bed. Recovery takes two to six weeks to complete. During this time, you will be using crutches and attending physical therapy sessions to ensure a speedy recovery process. Eventually, you will wean off crutches and return to your normal activities. You will be able to enjoy hobbies and activities free from the pain of a torn meniscus. If you believe youā€™ve torn your meniscus and arenā€™t ready to say goodbye to an active lifestyle, schedule a consultation for meniscus repair surgery today.

Meniscus Repair Success Rate

  1. Pain Relief and Functionality:

    • Most studies indicate a success rate ranging from 80% to 90% for pain relief and restoration of knee function post meniscus repair surgery.
  2. Healing of the Repair:

    • The rate of successful healing after a meniscus repair can vary based on the tear’s location and type. Tears located in the outer third of the meniscus (the “red-red” zone with good blood supply) tend to have better healing rates, often exceeding 90%. In contrast, tears in the inner two-thirds (the “white-white” zone with limited blood supply) may have lower success rates, sometimes dropping to 50-60%.
  3. Return to Sports:

    • For athletes, the ability to return to sport is a crucial marker of success. The majority of athletes can return to their previous level of sport after meniscus repair, although the exact percentage can vary based on the sport and the individual’s conditioning. On average, 80-90% of athletes can expect to return to competitive sports, though the timeline can vary.

Factors Influencing Success Rates:

  • Tear Location and Type: As mentioned, tears in the well-vascularized outer third of the meniscus tend to heal better than those in the inner portions.

  • Concurrent Injuries: The success of meniscus repair might be affected if there are other knee injuries, such as an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear.

  • Surgical Technique: There are different methods to repair a torn meniscus, including sutures, anchors, and arrows. The surgeon’s experience and the chosen method can influence outcomes.

  • Post-Operative Rehabilitation: Adherence to physical therapy and post-operative guidelines significantly impacts recovery and long-term success. Early, controlled motion is often beneficial, but aggressive or premature weight-bearing can jeopardize the repair.

  • Patient Factors: Age, overall health, activity level, and expectations can all play a role in the perceived success of the procedure.

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Orthopedic Conditions We Treat

Dr. Frank Cannon, Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Frank Cannon

Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

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