If you have a tear that spreads from the red zone into the inner two-thirds of the meniscus (called the white zone ), your decision is harder. Surgery to repair these kinds of tears may not work. You may need a partial meniscectomy instead.
This is because this area has rich blood supply and blood cells can regenerate meniscus tissue — or help it heal after surgical repair. But if the tear is in the inner two-thirds, which lack blood flow, the tear cannot be repaired and may need to be trimmed or removed surgically.
Part of a torn meniscus can break off and become lodged in the knee joint itself, sometimes causing serious knee mobility issues and pain that require a more invasive surgery than an initial meniscus repair or treatment.
Meniscus removal throws the whole knee out of balance and damages other structures – the best way to prevent cartilage breakdown and knee osteoarthritis caused by meniscal surgery is to AVOID the surgery. Clinical practice is moving away from treating meniscal tears in patients with osteoarthritis.
So while the torn meniscus may be less efficient in helping protect the cartilage, removing a part of the meniscus makes matters even worse! Many prior studies have shown that meniscus surgery increases the loads on the cartilage, leading to more wear and tear.
We observed a significant association between surgical delay beyond 6 months and damage to medial meniscus.
You should soon start seeing improvement in your knee. You may be able to return to most of your regular activities within a few weeks. But it will be several months before you have complete use of your knee. It may take as long as 6 months before your knee is strong enough for hard physical work or certain sports.
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.
Like many orthopedic disorders, a meniscus tear generally responds well to physical therapy. In fact, conservative methods are the preferred treatment before surgery is considered.
You should stay off your feet until your meniscus tear is healed. Don't walk, run, or play sports because this can make your injury worse. Ice.
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.
You might need meniscus surgery if you have severely torn your meniscus. A torn meniscus is a very common knee injury, which happens when you twist or rotate your knee, while putting your entire weight on it. Similar to ankle sprains, meniscus tears are given ratings or grades to classify how serious the injury is.
Doctors don't usually recommend starting a physical therapy routine immediately after a meniscal tear. There's a lot of swelling and inflammation that needs to go down before exercises can be effective. Doctors usually recommend following the RICE protocol: R is for rest.
“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.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
To actually have the meniscus heal on its own, Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP has good evidence to support its effectiveness in helping with meniscus injuries as well as mild and moderate arthritis.
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.
A cortisone injection can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in your knee, as in the case of a torn meniscus. It's only a temporary solution to your pain, though. It can't heal your meniscus and may even delay your healing. It also can't prevent you from injuring it again in the future.
Will I have pain after meniscus surgery? 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.
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. This is why if there is an ACL tear.
Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus (meniscectomy)
It may take 4-5 months for full healing. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery. Crutches will be necessary for 2-7 days after surgery.
A meniscus surgery can fail for a number of reasons, including infection, a re-tear of the meniscus, a failed original repair or from a patient not following proper rehabilitation guidelines after the initial surgery.
Meniscus tears, indicated by MRI, are classified in three grades. Grades 1 and 2 are not considered serious. They may not even be apparent with an arthroscopic examination. Grade 3 is a true meniscus tear and an arthroscope is close to 100 percent accurate in diagnosing this tear.
Answer: Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the help of physical therapy and building up the quadriceps muscles, stair climbing will be a breeze.
Stand with your feet 8 to 10 centimetres apart, with your hands lightly resting on a counter or chair in front of you. Slowly raise your heels off the floor while keeping your knees straight. Hold for about 6 seconds, then slowly lower your heels to the floor. Do 8 to 12 repetitions several times during the day.