Meniscus surgery

The meniscus is made up of elastic cartilage and stabilizes the joint, flattens uneven joint surfaces, absorbs impacts and allows smooth movement in the knee. It is often damaged in sports injuries and degenerative changes occur with age (the meniscus becomes fragile, losing elasticity).

The knee has an inner meniscus (C-shaped) and an outer meniscus (O-shaped). Injury to the inner meniscus is eight times more common because it is more tightly connected to the joint capsule.

A meniscus tear can be longitudinal or transverse. Sometimes part of the damaged meniscus is displaced into the joint cavity and needs to be removed because it interferes with movement. In addition to the meniscus damage, the injury can also affect the anterior cruciate ligament.

Types of meniscus damage:

• Meniscus injury - causes tears (rupturing) of the cartilage tissue.
• Meniscal degeneration - greater fragility and susceptibility to damage caused by wear and tear of cartilage tissue.

Damage to the menisci is diagnosed by orthopedic examination, imaging (X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging) and direct imaging by arthroscopy.

Minor injuries are treated conservatively with rehabilitation, spare physical activity. Pain is relieved with analgesics.

The type of surgery depends on the extent of damage to the meniscus:

• Partial meniscectomy - the damaged part of the meniscus can be removed (meniscectomy) - it is performed arthroscopically.
• Meniscus repair - if the meniscus is torn (rupture of a part of the meniscus), it can sutured together.
• Meniscus transplantation - if the meniscus can not be repaired, it is removed and replaced with a donor meniscus.

Surgeries performed under general, regional or local anesthesia.

After the operation it is necessary not to load the knee, crutches are used.

• The sparing regimen should be followed for 3 - 4 weeks.
• After meniscus transplantation surgery, the recovery period is longer and lasts 3 months.
• Early and proper rehabilitation is important.