Meniscus Repair

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage located between the thighbone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia) in the knee joint. It acts as a shock absorber, helping to cushion and stabilize the knee during movement. When the meniscus is torn, it can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility. In some cases, the torn piece of meniscus can be repaired using sutures to allow the tissue to heal and reattach to the bone. This is called a meniscus repair.

Need to know

What happens during surgery?

Meniscus repair surgery involves the use of general anaesthesia to keep the patient pain-free and asleep throughout the procedure. The surgeon will make a small incision near the knee and use an arthroscope to visualize the joint. Specialized instruments will be used to repair the torn meniscus, either by using sutures or anchors for tears in the outer part of the meniscus, or by removing the damaged portion of the meniscus for tears in the inner portion, known as partial meniscectomy.

How to prepare?

Before meniscus repair surgery, it’s important to follow instructions from your healthcare provider, which may include consulting with your surgeon, undergoing pre-operative testing such as blood tests, X-rays, or an MRI to determine the extent of the damage to the meniscus and ensure that you are healthy enough for the procedure. You may need to stop taking certain medications, including blood-thinning medications, before the surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding during the procedure, as well as Fasting before the surgery, and planning for post-operative recovery.

After Meniscus repair surgery?

After meniscus repair surgery, it’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to promote a smooth recovery. These may include pain management with prescribed medication or over-the-counter options, rest and immobilization of the knee with crutches or a brace, physical therapy to regain strength and mobility, and scheduling follow-up appointments to monitor progress. It’s essential to avoid activities that may stress or reinjure the repaired meniscus during the recovery period, and with proper care and rehabilitation, most people can resume normal activities within a few months.