Meniscus Surgery

What is meniscus surgery?

Meniscus surgery is a minimally invasive, common procedure used to repair a torn meniscus, which is cartilage found in your knee joint. Undergoing this type of surgery to repair an injury can restore mobility, reduce pain, and give you a better quality of life.

Is meniscus surgery right for me?

You might tear your meniscus if you twist or turn your knee suddenly or if you collide during sports games or training. Your meniscus can also become injured because of age-related wear and tear.

Your Twin Palm Orthopedics specialist reviews your medical history and symptoms to determine if you’re a candidate for meniscus surgery. They evaluate your knee joint and may ask you to move it into various positions. 

Your provider might recommend you complete blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, or other imaging procedures to find the root cause of knee pain.

If you experience a meniscus tear, you may be a good candidate for surgery, depending on the size and location of the tear, your age, previous injuries, activity level, symptoms, and lifestyle. If you have a minor injury, conservative treatments like ice, physical therapy, or knee injections may relieve discomfort without surgery.

How should I prepare for meniscus surgery?

Follow your Twin Palm Orthopedics specialist’s pre-surgery instructions before undergoing meniscus surgery. Stop taking certain medications or dietary supplements, and avoid eating or drinking anything the morning of surgery. Ask a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you after the procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

Right before meniscus surgery, the Twin Palm Orthopedics team gives you anesthesia to eliminate pain and help you relax or fall asleep. Then, they make tiny incisions in the front of your knee and fill the joint with sterile fluid to control bleeding and wash away debris. 

Using a thin, lighted camera (arthroscope), your specialist enters the knee joint and repairs or removes damaged cartilage using specialized surgical tools. They close the incisions using surgical strips or stitches and take you to a recovery area.

What should I expect after meniscus surgery?

After meniscus surgery, you can go home the same day but must have someone drive you there. Follow all post-surgery instructions. Take medications as directed, ice the treatment area, and use crutches if needed. Most times physical therapy is not needed. You may shower the next day if your two small incisions are covered with waterproof bandaids.  

Complete healing may take 4-6 weeks or longer, depending on the type of surgery you undergo. Avoid driving and strenuous exercise until your surgeon says it’s okay.

To learn more about meniscus surgery at Twin Palm Orthopedics and find out if it’s right for you, call the office or request an appointment online today.