Meniscus surgery, also known as arthroscopy, is performed in certain cases of meniscus tears, one of the most common injuries to the knee joint. Depending on the severity of the injury, alternative treatments such as special exercises or medication are also used, but if the latter do not work or are not appropriate in the case in question, surgical intervention is needed.
Why does the meniscus tear?
The meniscus is a crescent-shaped cartilaginous substance. A meniscal tear is a serious knee injury, often caused by either too much or too little elasticity of the cartilage in the knee. Most meniscal tears occur during intense sports, although there are also cases of injuries sustained at home as a result of accidents.
In young patients, the meniscus is often torn by a severe knee injury, while in older people, meniscal tears are more often caused by a reduction in the elasticity of the cartilage tissue.
What are the symptoms of a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus can cause knee pain, swelling, scratching, instability when climbing stairs or squatting. The pain does not go away, but increases over time.
Meniscal surgery
During meniscal surgery, the patient's meniscus is stitched together or the torn parts are removed. An arthroscope, a special instrument that allows the knee to be viewed from the inside, is used both to identify the damage to the meniscus and during the operation itself.
During the operation, incisions about a centimetre long are made. The specific time of the operation depends on the complexity of the injury, but usually takes about an hour.Meniscal surgery is not performed without painkillers, and spinal anaesthesia is usually used.
If you have undergone meniscal surgery...
After the operation, the patient can walk as soon as the medication has finished working - in this case it is necessary to follow the doctor's instructions. It takes about a couple of weeks after the operation for the patient to regain the ability to work and for the knee to heal. A few weeks after the operation, you are likely to be able to move without pain and even to play sports, and it takes about a month to regain normal physical condition.
After meniscus surgery, patients are given special exercises and sometimes rehabilitation in a sanatorium is recommended. In the post-operative period, it is very important to follow all the doctor's instructions, to protect the knee, and not to put on weight so that the legs do not have to bear more strain.
If the doctor prescribes special exercises, it is necessary to exercise for the full time indicated and not to stop exercising as soon as you feel an improvement.
After a meniscal tear, whether treated with exercise or medication, or if you have had surgery, it is recommended to wear a knee splint to support the function of the joint and give you the stability you need. If necessary, a splint that stabilises the knee joint at the right angle is available.
How can I avoid meniscal tears?
To avoid this injury, it is important to distribute the load on the legs correctly, to follow the rules and the coaches' instructions, not to overstretch, and to lift heavy weights correctly, as lifting puts a lot of strain on the knees.
In order to reduce the load on the feet, it is advisable to purchase special orthopaedic insoles that distribute the load on the feet correctly, which reduces the load on the knees.
