This helps in reducing swelling, pain, throbbing and the risk of infection.
Complicated arthroscopic repair of a meniscus tear requires that the patient's knee be completely immobilized for 2 weeks after surgery. Followed by 2 weeks of limited motion before resuming daily activities. Physical therapy starts right after surgery.
Most people can walk with crutches soon after meniscus surgery. Many return to normal activities within six to eight weeks. Your healthcare provider may recommend low-impact activities rather than high-impact (such as walking rather than running). If you have a physical job, you may need extra time off work to recover.
Q: WILL I NEED TO USE CRUTCHES AFTER SURGERY? Usually, yes. Crutches are typically used for protection for a short time after surgery. Most patients are off crutches at or around the time of the first follow-up visit after surgery (2 weeks), but some may still require them at that time.
Patient will be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks immediately following surgery unless otherwise directed.
You may be given medications to relax you, but you'll be awake throughout the procedure. With regional anesthesia, pain medicine is injected into a space in your spine. You'll be numb below the waist but awake during the 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.
Over 4-6 weeks, the pain and swelling may decrease and activities of daily living may become tolerable. However, athletic activities may reproduce pain and swelling. Sometimes even activities of daily living such as going up and down stairs or getting in and out of cars may produce pain in a knee with a torn meniscus.
You can walk up and down stairs. Just remember to hold onto the hand rail. You do not need crutches when walking (unless your surgeon has told you to use them). If your surgeon has told you to use crutches, follow your surgeon's instructions.
Lie or sit with the knee extended fully straight as in figure. Tighten and hold the front thigh muscle making the knee flat and straight. If done correctly, the kneecap will slide slightly upward toward the thigh muscle.
The pain settles usually within two to three weeks, but may take upwards of six weeks. Swelling in the whole knee up to six weeks. Tenderness around the wound sites up to four weeks.
If a meniscus tear is considered appropriate for an attempt at repair, a number of techniques can be used. The surgery is primarily arthroscopic (minimally invasive) although additional small incisions, or cuts, may be necessary to perform the repair. A variety of devices or sutures can be used to perform a repair.
Roll over to the “good leg” side. Sleeping on your back can be an adjustment in and of itself. If you do choose to sleep on your side, roll to the non-surgery side and put a pillow between your knees. Use this position only if you're having no luck getting to sleep on your back, and remember not to bend the knee.
Knee pain, osteoarthritis, re-injury, inadequate rehabilitation, and spontaneous osteonecrosis are potential long-term problems after meniscus surgery. Talk with your healthcare provider about treatments to help you find relief if you're experiencing pain or other post-surgery problems.
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.
Your knee will be swollen and sore for about two weeks. Crutches may be needed for a few days but sporting activities can start around two weeks. It is advised to take one week off desk work and two weeks off manual work. You can drive 3 - 5 days after the operation, as soon as able to do an emergency stop.
Take the pain medication as prescribed. you take the medication and taper off as you feel comfortable, but keep in mind that many people have an increase in pain around day 3 or 4 after surgery.
You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. When you shower, keep your bandage and incisions dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. If you have a brace, take it off if your doctor says it is okay. It might help to sit on a shower stool.
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.
What type of meniscus tear is the worst? Bucket-handle meniscus tears are the most serious type of meniscus injury. They often occur alongside a ligament injury. Bucket-handle tears require prompt surgery in order to have the best possible chance of recovery.
Arthroscopic meniscus repair typically takes about 40 minutes to perform, and usually you will be able to leave the hospital the same day. There are three main types of meniscus repairs. Your surgeon chooses a technique based on the location of the tear and his or her experience with the techniques.
Your bandage may be removed 2 days following surgery. The knee should then be re-wrapped with only the elastic bandage for about 3-4 days or until swelling is gone.