Do you sometimes feel like your knee is suddenly stuck or "locked" when you bend or straighten it? Or do you feel like your knee is suddenly weak and buckles when you walk? If you have pain or swelling in your knee along with these symptoms, it could be a tear in the cartilage inside your knee. Today we're going to talk about this condition and the surgery that can be done to treat it.
What is this Meniscus? Why is surgery needed?
Simply put, the meniscus is a pair of C-shaped cartilage cushions inside your knee joint, between the upper bone (femur) and the lower bone (tibia). Like shock absorbers in a car, they absorb the pressure on the knee when we walk, run, and jump, keeping the joint stable and helping it move smoothly.
Imagine, if you twist your knee suddenly while playing sports, if you fall, or if these cartilage parts wear down with age, this meniscus can tear. When this happens, the symptoms we talked about earlier, such as knee stiffness, loss of sensation, pain, and swelling, appear. If this condition does not improve with regular medication and rest, or if the tear is severe, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery.
What should you do before surgery?
Before surgery, your doctor will order several tests to accurately assess your health.
| Test type | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Physical Exam | The doctor is examining your knee. |
| Blood Tests | Check your general health and suitability for anesthesia. |
| EKG and Chest X-ray | To check the function of the heart and lungs. |
| Knee X-ray and MRI | An X-ray to see the condition of the bones, and an MRI to see exactly what the tear in the meniscus looks like. |
Also, you should definitely tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (medicines for other diseases, vitamins, traditional medicines). Some medications may need to be stopped for a few days before the surgery. The day before the surgery, you will not be able to eat or drink anything from the time your doctor tells you (fasting) . This usually lasts about 12 hours. Since you will not be able to drive after the surgery, it is also very important to arrange for someone to take you home in advance.
How is the surgery done?
Don't worry, you won't feel any pain during the surgery. The anesthesiologist will give you either general anesthesia, which puts you completely to sleep, or regional anesthesia, which numbs only the area below the waist.
Most often, this surgery is done using a technique called Knee Arthroscopy . This is like keyhole surgery. The doctor makes a few very small incisions around your knee and inserts a small camera and surgical instruments through them to treat the injured meniscus.
There are three main types of surgery.
| Type of surgery | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| Meniscus Repair | As the name suggests, the torn meniscus is stitched back together with special threads (sutures). Over time, these threads dissolve into the body, and the torn part heals. |
| Partial Meniscectomy (partial removal) | If the tear is severe, it may not heal properly even after stitches. In such cases, only the damaged piece of cartilage is cut out and removed, leaving the healthy part intact. |
| Meniscus Replacement (New Transplant) | This is not done very often. It is usually done for someone under 50 years of age, who has arthritis in the knee, or who has severely damaged the meniscus. In this case, a meniscus from a donor (allograft) is transplanted to replace the damaged meniscus. |
This surgery usually takes about an hour. After the surgery, you will be kept in an observation ward for a while, and then you will be sent home the same day after you wake up from the anesthesia.
Recovery time and things to be aware of
Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery you had.
- Partial Meniscectomy (removal of part of the meniscus): This has a shorter recovery time. You can expect to fully recover within about 6 weeks.
- Meniscus Repair: This takes a little longer because in addition to the healing of the surgical wounds, the meniscus that was sewn inside also needs to heal. It can take about 3 months.
- Meniscus Replacement (transplantation): This has the longest recovery time. It can take several months, sometimes up to a year, to fully heal.
You will need these things during your recovery:
- Crutches: You will need to use crutches for a few weeks to reduce the weight on your knee.
- Knee Brace: Keep the knee stable.
- Painkillers: Take pain medication as prescribed by your doctor.
- RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation as directed by your doctor.
- Physical Therapy (PT): This is extremely important . A physical therapist will teach you exercises to help you regain movement, range of motion, and strength in your knee.
Remember, never rush to walk or do strenuous exercise on your knee until your doctor gives you permission. It's very important to give it time to heal properly.
Possible complications after surgery and things to pay attention to
Meniscus surgery is a very safe and successful procedure, but like any surgery, there are some minor risks.
- Blood clots
- Bleeding inside the knee
- Infections
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels (Neuropathy)
- Stiffness in the knee even after healing
Especially if part of the meniscus is removed (Partial Meniscectomy), the risk of developing arthritis in that knee in the future may be slightly increased. Talk to your doctor openly about all of this. For many people, the benefits of surgery outweigh the disruption to daily life caused by a torn meniscus.
| If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately! | |
|---|---|
| Fever | If you have a fever over 38 degrees Celsius (101°F). |
| Wound drainage | If there is excessive bleeding or other fluid oozing from the cut, or if there is a foul-smelling discharge like pus. |
| Pain and swelling | Severe pain or swelling that does not subside even with rest or elevation of the leg. |
| Difficulty breathing | This is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. |
After surgery, even if the body heals, it can take some time for some people to regain confidence in their knee. It's common, especially for someone who plays sports, to feel anxious, wondering, "Will this happen again?" If you're feeling the same way, talk to your doctor or physical therapist. They can help you feel stronger, both physically and mentally.
Take-Home Message
- Meniscus surgery is a very successful and common surgery performed to repair torn cartilage in the knee.
- There are several types of surgery, and your doctor will determine which type is best for you.
- Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery. It is important to give your body the time it needs to heal, without rushing it.
- Physical therapy is an essential part of the recovery process. Follow those instructions exactly.
- If you have any doubts, questions, or concerns, talk to your doctor about them. Also, seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of the warning signs mentioned above.
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