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Meniscus surgery is a common operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee. The surgery requires a few small incisions and takes about an hour. Recovery and rehabilitation take a few weeks. The procedure can reduce pain, improve mobility and stability, and get you back to life’s activities.
Each knee has two menisci. They are rubbery, C-shaped cushions that serve as shock absorbers in the knee joint. If your meniscus is injured or torn (often called torn cartilage), your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to remove the damaged part or repair it.
The most common procedure for a torn meniscus is knee arthroscopy. It usually takes less than an hour.
First, you receive anesthesia. The surgical team cleans the skin on your knee and covers the rest of your leg with a surgical drape. The team might place a clamp on your upper thigh to help with positioning during surgery. The surgeon makes a few small stab incisions (cuts) in your knee called portals. The team then fills the knee joint with a sterile fluid. The fluid helps control minor bleeding in the joint and washes away debris, which helps the surgeon see inside the joint.
The surgeon inserts a small tool called an arthroscope into the incision. An arthroscope is a thin tube with a small light and video camera at the end. The camera projects video images from inside your knee onto a monitor.
The surgeon uses the arthroscope to look at the tear and decide what surgical technique to perform:
1. Meniscus repair:
The surgeon sews torn pieces of cartilage back together so they can heal on their own. However, because of tear type and blood supply, less than 10%of tears are actually repairable.
2. Partial meniscectomy:
The surgeon trims and removes the damaged cartilage and leaves healthy meniscus tissue in place.Your surgeon inserts other surgical tools depending on the technique used. When the meniscectomy or meniscus repair is complete, the surgeon closes the portals with stitches or surgical strips. Then the team will cover your knee with a bandage.
Most people who have meniscus repair or meniscectomy don’t need to stay overnight at the hospital. You’ll wait in a recovery room for the anesthesia to wear off. When you are ready to leave, somebody else will need to drive you home.
Meniscus tear surgery can help:
The recovery time for meniscus surgery depends on the type of surgery you had. 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:
You will have some pain immediately after surgery and for several weeks, which is normal. Your healthcare provider will prescribe medications to help you manage the pain. The medications will help you complete the exercises needed to recover.