Is meniscus surgery a good idea?

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.

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What percentage of meniscus surgeries are successful?

Running and jogging is typically allowed after 2-4 weeks and sports shortly after. What are the long term success rates for the surgeries? Overall, the long-term success rates for meniscal repairs vary from 84% to 94%. The success rate decreases when the knee is unstable, such as when there is an ACL tear.

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What are the cons of meniscus surgery?

For lateral meniscus tears, meniscectomy was associated with a high rate of revision surgery and risk of chondrolysis (progressive loss of articular cartilage). Partial medial meniscectomy allowed for rapid return to sports but with the potential risk of developing knee osteoarthritis over the years.

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How risky is meniscus surgery?

That being said, meniscus repair is a safe procedure with a complication rate of 1.3%. The most common complications are injuries to skin nerves, the vast majority of which resolve without additional procedures by three months post surgery. Injury to larger nerves or blood vessels is rare, as are blood clots.

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What happens if you don't repair a torn meniscus?

If not treated, part of the meniscus may come loose and slip into the joint. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. Untreated meniscus tears can increase in size and lead to complications, such as arthritis.

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Do you need surgery for a meniscus tear?

26 related questions found

Why not to have meniscus surgery?

Risks of an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy include bleeding and infection, but also includes an increased risk of osteoarthritis. With 20-30% of the population between 50 and 60 showing signs of meniscus tear in the absence of symptoms, it is important that the appropriate treatment be recommended.

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Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?

Continuing to walk on the affected leg can aggravate your symptoms, making pain and stiffness worse in as little as a few days. Plus, suffering a torn meniscus may also increase your risk of complications, like developing osteoarthritis in that knee.

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Is meniscus repair better than removal?

In most patients, meniscus tear repair is preferred over meniscus removal. That's because studies have shown when the meniscus is repaired and preserved, patients tend to experience better overall healing and better long-term joint function.

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Can you live with a completely torn meniscus?

“You can live with a meniscus tear,” Dr. Parker says. “And it may heal on its own, or just not cause you problems.” However, you'll know pretty quickly when it is a problem.

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Should I have my meniscus removed?

Sometimes, a twisting injury may severely damage your meniscus. If the damage is severe enough, your surgeon may need to remove your meniscus. Without this meniscus cushion, the ends of your tibia and femur may start to rub together abnormally. Over time, this can cause persistent knee pain.

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What are 3 signs of a meniscus tear in the knee?

Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear
  • A popping sensation when the injury occurs.
  • Swelling or stiffness.
  • Pain, especially when twisting or rotating the knee.
  • Difficulty fully straightening the knee.
  • "Locked" feeling when trying to move the knee.

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What's the worst type of meniscus tear?

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.

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Is your knee weaker after meniscus surgery?

It has also been shown that a knee that has undergone meniscus surgery has weaker thigh muscles and poorer quality of cartilage 4 years after the surgery [3]. This is also thought to increase the risk of arthritis.

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Will my meniscus ever heal after surgery?

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.

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What are the long term effects of meniscus surgery?

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.

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How long can I wait for meniscus surgery?

Frequently surgeons perform meniscal repair surgeries within a few weeks of a patient's injury. One, these tears often occur concurrently with ACL tears, so surgeons perform meniscal repair at the same time as the ACL reconstruction.

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How can I regenerate my meniscus naturally?

What Are Some Ways To Heal Meniscus Tear Naturally?
  1. Rest. Rest is important for the healing process. ...
  2. Strength Training. Strength-training exercises help to build the muscles around the knee and improve joint stability. ...
  3. Balance Work. ...
  4. Nutrition.

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What aggravates a torn meniscus?

Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee. If your pain is severe, using crutches can take pressure off your knee and promote healing. Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling.

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Can you live without a meniscus in your knee?

Living without a meniscus can increase your risk of osteoarthritis and chronic (long-term) knee pain. A torn or injured meniscus can also lead to osteoarthritis. This condition happens when other cartilage in the knee wears away, causing pain and stiffness.

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How do I know if my meniscus tear is severe?

A tear is usually labeled as severe if the meniscus has a big tear. Loose pieces may cause the knee joint to lock or catch. This level of injury may also keep you from bending or straightening your leg and can make walking difficult. Severe tears usually require surgery to repair.

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Can physio help a torn meniscus?

Most meniscal tears improve with time and physiotherapy. Physiotherapy will include load modification e.g. reducing your running and walking and reduction or avoidance of the movements and activities that make your pain or swelling worse. This advice will also be accompanied with a comprehensive exercise programme.

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Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus?

Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus? Yes. Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals. A good brace will protect your knee and take the pressure off your meniscus, allowing it to rest.

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Is meniscus surgery a sham?

Surgical meniscus repair was not superior to sham surgery in a randomized, controlled trial. Non-surgical care of meniscus-injury related pain, such as exercise, was equally or more effective than surgical interventions. Approximately 700,000 arthroscopic partial meniscectomies are performed annually in the U.S.

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Why does my knee still hurt 2 years after meniscus surgery?

If a person experiences persistent pain, swelling, or other symptoms following meniscus surgery, they should contact their doctor. These could be signs that the person has reinjured their knee or developed postsurgical complications that require treatment.

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