Knee problems are a nightmare, especially for someone who walks a lot. One of them can be meniscus tears and the only way to rectify this issue is to get a meniscectomy that is done by orthopedic surgeons. Here is a guide to knee meniscectomy.

Knee Meniscectomy

A knee meniscectomy is a surgical procedure that’s performed to treat a damaged meniscus. Meniscus of the knee is a very important anatomical part that is responsible for all kinds of movement, stabilization, and the general working of the knee.

The main driving force of the knee joint is a pair of menisci that is present in each knee. A meniscus is essentially a combination of cartilages that help in the movement of the knee. The cartilage provides elasticity and it helps the knee move in different orientations.

There are two types of menisci present in the knee, which include:

Lateral meniscus, a structure that’s present on the outermost part of the knee joint
Medial meniscus, a structure that’s present on the innermost part of the knee joint

The functions of the knee menisci include:

Stabilizing your body and providing balance
Keeping the weight distributed over a large area
Essential rubbery lubrication that prevents bones from grinding against each other
Absorbing shock from your body, especially during running, jumping, and other impact-heavy activities

Types Of Knee Meniscectomy

A knee meniscectomy can also be of two types. They are:

Partial knee meniscectomy: In this surgery, only the damaged part of the meniscus is removed
Total knee meniscectomy: In this procedure, the entire meniscus is removed

Who Gets Knee Meniscectomy?

Knee injury like meniscus tears is the main reason why a knee meniscectomy is recommended. A torn meniscus is very common, especially in people who engage in sports a lot, are athletes, or even people who are avid runners.

The meniscus gets torn when the tension applied to the cartilage exceeds its limit, leading to the extension of the rubbery structure, and causing tears.

Tears can be minor or major, depending on the extent of the injury, and while minor ones can be treated without surgery and proper rest, major tears end up needing a meniscectomy because traditional methods aren’t working anymore.

You can consider a knee meniscectomy if you feel any of the following symptoms:

There’s a mass protruding out of the knee structure. It will be round and it’s usually present on the outer side of the knee. This is the torn cartilage.
Your knee is locked and you’re unable to bend and move it like normal
The knee joint looks deformed, and it is evident by looking at it

Anyone and everyone can tear their knee meniscus. It happens in about 0.06% of the population.

Along with the symptoms, other factors are also considered, when deciding whether you need a meniscectomy or not. Those can include:

If the tear is not getting healed, even after a couple of weeks have passed.
Traditional healing methods like icing, massages, and rest aren’t working.
If you’re getting old, then it might be best if you go for a meniscectomy, because it won’t heal normally.
If your activity level is extremely high and the tear is affecting the movement, then a knee meniscectomy can be considered.
If the tear size is huge, then the only resort is to get it removed surgically.
If you’ve been in a very serious accident and your knee still hurts, then you might need to do some bone workup and find out the intensity of the injury.

How Is Knee Meniscectomy Done?

Knee surgeries have come a long way. A knee meniscectomy can be done by two methods, one of which is more invasive than the other.

Arthroscopic Meniscectomy

An arthroscopic knee surgery is less invasive and the incision made is extremely small. Here is what you can expect in this surgery.

You will be put under anesthesia. Given its less invasive nature, arthroscopic surgery can be done either in spinal or general anesthesia. You can choose whichever you prefer.
There will be three incisions made all over your knee. The number of incisions depends on the location of the tear and how accessible it is.
An arthroscope with a light and camera at the tip is inserted in the incision and the knee is examined. The tear is found and from there, either a partial or complete meniscectomy is performed.
Once the meniscus is removed, the arthroscope is removed. Then, the incision is stitched up.
The anesthesia will wear off and you’ll wake up in a couple of hours.

Normal Meniscectomy

Sometimes, the location and overall extent of the tear make it hard to perform an arthroscopic meniscectomy, so a normal, also known as open knee surgery is opted. This decision is made by a knee specialist Woodbridge. Here is the rundown of the surgery:

You can only get this surgery done under general anesthesia and you’ll be required to stay in the hospital for at least a day.
Once you’re under, a large incision will be made on the knee.
Once everything is exposed, the knee is examined and the tear is located.
Once located, the meniscus will be removed and the incision will be sewn shut.

Whatever option you go for, as soon as you wake up, your knee is going to hurt and it will be swollen. That’s completely normal and for the pain, take over-the-counter pain medication. This will diminish the uncomfortable feeling.

You can stand up immediately after the surgery, but doctors will advise that you use crutches to distribute the weight on the knees. After two to three weeks, you can ditch the crutches.

An arthroscopic surgery takes about three to four weeks for you to completely recover and you can slowly transition back to your normal life activities.

An open surgery takes about 4-6 weeks for the patient to completely balance weight on the knee. This is because the incision is bigger and it needs a bit more time to heal.

Post-Surgery Care

With any type of surgery, the aftercare is what’s important. This step paves the way for a smooth healing journey. Here are some things you need to take care of, after getting a knee meniscectomy:

You’ll need to move your knee a little bit, but not in the way that you think. You will be advised to take it slow for the first month and to keep your knee moving, the doctor will recommend some light exercises that can help with the fluidity and movement of the recovered knee.
You should have someone who can drive for you, especially after the surgery. After two weeks, you can back to the driving seat.
Keep an eye out for infections. Since there is a noticeable incision, you want to ensure that you’re keeping it clean, dry, and covered at all times. Be on the lookout for swelling, pain, pus secretion, and a sudden fever, because those are key signs of an infection.

Conclusion

Knee meniscectomy is a procedure that can treat tears, given that you notice it in time and go to a good orthopedic doctor for knee pain Woodbridge. With these signs and symptoms, you’ll be able to do so.