Arthroscopic Meniscus Resection of the Knee Joint

The cartilage pad located in the joint, acting as a shock absorber and stabilizer, is called the meniscus. Meniscus surgery on the knee joint is a common procedure performed in medical facilities. Indications for its implementation can be various injuries, the most common of which is a meniscus tear. However, not every knee joint injury requires surgical treatment. Often, doctors opt for a course of conservative therapy.

Is Surgery Needed for Meniscus Damage

Surgery for knee injury is not always necessary. It is considered that surgical intervention is justified only in the case of a large tear of the cartilage pad or damage to the cartilage tissue (for example, if it is crushed). Only a doctor, after conducting a series of studies and evaluating the results of conservative therapy, can determine whether surgery is needed for meniscus damage.

Often, this injury is diagnosed in athletes, especially football players, hockey players, figure skaters, and handball players. If the meniscus tear of the knee joint is incomplete, doctors will conduct therapeutic treatment—the functionality of the joint will be fully restored, and the rehabilitation period will be much quicker.

Arthroscopic Surgery

Modern medicine offers patients surgical treatment of meniscus tears by two methods:

• Endoscopic, or arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive intervention, causes little trauma, and involves a short rehabilitation period.
• Open method, or arthrotomy. In this case, the joint cavity is surgically opened, and the work is done in an open wound.

Doctors prefer arthroscopic meniscus resection of the knee joint because this method has several advantages:

• before the operation, the doctor can use the endoscope to conduct an exact diagnosis and determine the extent of the damage;
• the tissues around the knee joint remain untouched;
• postoperative rehabilitation proceeds quickly, and during the rehabilitation period, there is no need to fixate the operated lower limb.

How Arthroscopy is Performed for Meniscus Tear

The patient is given spinal anesthesia before the operation. Two punctures are made in the area of surgical intervention—through one, the endoscope probe is inserted, and through the other—the necessary surgical instruments.

First, the doctor examines the knee joint and meniscus—saline solution is introduced through the puncture to give a detailed view of the damaged area which is displayed on the monitor. Only then can the doctor decide on the type of surgical work to be performed:

• restoration of the meniscus's integrity and functionality;
• removal of the meniscus or its damaged part;
• transplantation/replacement of the meniscus.

Resection (complete or partial removal) of the joint's cartilage pad is most often performed, with a longer recovery period.

Rehabilitation After Meniscus Tear Surgery

Rehabilitation after meniscus resection involves the patient undergoing a course of physiotherapy procedures and specialized therapeutic exercises. The rehabilitation course usually starts 7-10 days post-surgery.

Exercises for knee recovery after meniscus surgery are individually selected by a specialist. Their purpose is to develop the joint and restore its full functionality. There is also late rehabilitation, which involves exercises in the gym, on the tennis court, or in the swimming pool.

For more information on knee meniscus surgeries, visit our website at Dobrobut.com.