Meniscal surgery is a minimally invasive surgical treatment designed to restore knee joint stability to patients suffering from full meniscus tears. The most common conditions that might require meniscal surgery are torn meniscus, meniscal cysts and degenerative changes. Surgery is recommended after conservative treatments have proven ineffective in alleviating knee pain. It is done as a minimally invasive keyhole procedure and the patient can expect a smooth recovery.

Meniscus tears are common knee injuries for athletes and people who experience an injury during their daily lives, but degenerative meniscus tears are common among the aging population. While common in sports, acute tears in the meniscus can arise from any quick pivoting movement that puts outward stress on the knee.

These injuries are caused by forceful motions, causing the outer third of the meniscus to tear off and move out of place. The cause of degenerative tears is due to age related degradation of articular cartilage.

Symptoms of a meniscus tear include

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Catching or locking of Knee
• Lack of full range of motion

Most patients can still walk on their injured knee, however it will begin to feel more and more stiff. Many athletes are able to continue playing with an injured meniscus. Over two to three days, the symptoms will become more evident as the patient is unable to move his or her knee through its full range of motion.

If a patient has confirmed left or right knee pain, they will be subjected to the McMurray test. During this test, you will bend your knee, then straighten and rotate it. This places tension on a torn meniscus. If this movement causes pain, clicking, or a clunking sensation in the joint, it may indicate a meniscal tear.

X-ray images of the knee joints show bony areas but do not provide good detail of tears and deformities in the soft tissues. Your doctor may order to look for other causes of knee pain, such as osteoarthritis.

An MRI scan produces high resolution images of ligaments and tendons and helps to diagnose meniscal tears, ruptures and degeneration.

Non-surgical Treatment

The treatment of a meniscal tear depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your age and activity level. If you have a small tear in your medial meniscus, non-surgical treatment with rest, ice packs and anti-inflammatory medication may be enough.

RICE – The RICE protocol is effective for most sports-related injuries.

You should also Rest from the activity that led to your injury; a physiotherapist can provide you with a knee or leg support. This will help minimize blood loss and pain and swelling. You should try to keep your leg elevated and use an Ice pack for the first 20 minutes of your recovery. Be sure to wear Compression bandages for additional support. Remember, doctor’s orders are essential.

Mild to moderate meniscus tears can be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications come in the form of a pill and are usually taken 1 to 2 times daily for at least a week. Injections such as steroid injections can also provide temporary pain relief and may be used in conjunction with other treatments.

If your symptoms persist with nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may suggest arthroscopic surgery. This minimally invasive surgical procedure allows your physician to see inside the knee joint to determine the presence and extent of the tear and repair the tear. The diagnosis is confirmed via arthroscopic findings, in combination with an MRI and patient history.

In the partial meniscectomy procedure, your surgeon will trim the damaged meniscus tissue . This procedure allows you to immediately resume activities such as walking and bending that you perform on a daily basis

Meniscal tear repair, also referred to as meniscal suturing, is a surgical procedure used to repair a torn or damaged meniscus in the knee. During the procedure, torn pieces of the meniscus are stitched back together. Treatment depends upon the type of tear and the overall condition of injured cartilage.

About 30% of all knee injuries are meniscus tears. Through surgical or nonsurgical procedures, the tear can be fixed and most patients can return to their pre-injury abilities.