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Meniscus Repair

Meniscus repair surgery is performed on torn or injured meniscus cartilage of the knee, which provides stability and cushion to the knee joint. The surgery is done either arthroscopically or through open surgery. The incidence of a meniscus tear is more common in athletes, especially those who play contact sports.

It also occurs in aged people, due to degenerative changes in the meniscus. This surgery is performed on injured cartilage when the non-surgical treatments fail to relieve the symptoms. Symptoms of a meniscus tear are:

  • Severe pain, stiffness, and swelling of the knee joint
  • Locking, restricted movement, or loss of sensation in the knee
Traumatologist-pointing-pen-to-meniscus-in-a-kneejoint

Facts & Figures

  • The prevalence of acute meniscal tears is quite common i.e. 61 in 100,000 cases.
  • The ratio of male-to-female incidence is approximately 2.5:1. The meniscal injury is most common in males and females of 31-40 and 11-20 years respectively.
    The rate of degenerative meniscal tears is 60% in patients above 65.
  • Surgical procedures of the meniscus are performed on an estimated 850,000 patients each year.
  • Meniscus repair surgeries are double in the USA than in the rest of the world.

Advantages

  • Timely performed surgery to repair the meniscus may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems and osteoarthritis by saving meniscal cartilage. This reduces the stress on the knee joint.
  • This surgery relieves 80-90% of symptoms in most cases due to its high success rate.
  • The procedure is just 1-2 hours since it is an outpatient procedure.
  • Patients seeking meniscus repair through medical tourism can return home mostly within 1-2 days.

Disadvantages

  • Slow recovery or continued pain and joint stiffness
  • Corrective surgery may be needed if surgery fails and the meniscus is re-torn.
  • A horizontal, long-standing, degenerative flap of the meniscus cannot be repaired by this surgery

Preoperative Preparation

  • Complete physical examination.
  • Blood and urinalysis.
  • ECG and x-ray chest for patients above 50 years.
  • Consult with the surgeon week prior and get the correct medicinal prescriptions.
  • Inform the surgeon about smoking and alcohol habits.
  • Plan for leave from work and domestic help at home.
  • Don’t consume anything after midnight before surgery.
  • Medical tourists are advised to wear comfortable clothes and to select a handicap-accessible hotel room for recovery after getting discharged from the hospital.

Post operative care

  • After the arthroscopic meniscal surgery, patients are usually discharged from the hospital as the anesthesia wears off. Patients need to wear a knee brace or an immobilizer and are instructed to use crutches for several weeks following the procedure. It is important to follow the physiotherapy and rehabilitation program for the best results.
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