Meniscus Arthroscopy Surgery

Puerto Vallarta, Jal. México

Meniscus Arthroscopy Surgery

Meniscal tears are among the most common knee injuries. Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, are at risk for meniscal tears. However, anyone at any age can tear a meniscus. When people talk about torn cartilage in the knee, they are usually referring to a torn meniscus.

You might feel a “pop” when you tear a meniscus. Most people can still walk on their injured knee. Many athletes keep playing with a tear. Over 2 to 3 days, your knee will gradually become more stiff and swollen.

Causes


Sudden meniscus tears often happen during sports. Players may squat and twist the knee, causing a tear. Direct contact, like a tackle, is sometimes involved.

Older people are more likely to have degenerative meniscus tears. Cartilage weakens and wears thin over time. Aged, worn tissue is more prone to tears. Just an awkward twist when getting up from a chair may be enough to cause a tear, if the menisci have weakened with age.

Symptoms


You might feel a “pop” when you tear a meniscus. Most people can still walk on their injured knee. Many athletes keep playing with a tear. Over 2 to 3 days, your knee will gradually become more stiff and swollen.

The most common symptoms of meniscus tear are:

  • Pain
  • Stiffness and swelling
  • Catching or locking of your knee
  • The sensation of your knee “giving way”
  • You are not able to move your knee through its full range of motion

Without treatment, a piece of meniscus may come loose and drift into the joint. This can cause your knee to slip, pop, or lock.

Doctor Examination


Physical Examination and Patient History
After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will examine your knee. He or she will check for tenderness along the joint line where the meniscus sits. This often signals a tear.

One of the main tests for meniscus tears is the McMurray test. Your doctor will bend your knee, then straighten and rotate it. This puts tension on a torn meniscus. If you have a meniscus tear, this movement will cause a clicking sound. Your knee will click each time your doctor does the test.

Imaging Tests
Because other knee problems cause similar symptoms, your doctor may order imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis.

X-rays. Although x-rays do not show meniscus tears, they may show other causes of knee pain, such as osteoarthritis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study can create better images of the soft tissues of your knee joint, like a meniscus.

Treatment


How your orthopaedic surgeon treats your tear will depend on the type of tear you have, its size, and location.

The outside one-third of the meniscus has a rich blood supply. A tear in this “red” zone may heal on its own, or can often be repaired with surgery. A longitudinal tear is an example of this kind of tear.

In contrast, the inner two-thirds of the meniscus lacks a blood supply. Without nutrients from blood, tears in this “white” zone cannot heal. These complex tears are often in thin, worn cartilage. Because the pieces cannot grow back together, tears in this zone are usually surgically trimmed away.

Along with the type of tear you have, your age, activity level, and any related injuries will factor into your treatment plan.

 

Nonsurgical Treatment


If your tear is small and on the outer edge of the meniscus, it may not require surgical repair. As long as your symptoms do not persist and your knee is stable, nonsurgical treatment may be all you need.

RICE. The RICE protocol is effective for most sports-related injuries. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Rest. Take a break from the activity that caused the injury. Your doctor may recommend that you use crutches to avoid putting weight on your leg.
Ice. Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
Compression. To prevent additional swelling and blood loss, wear an elastic compression bandage.
Elevation. To reduce swelling, recline when you rest, and put your leg up higher than your heart.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen reduce pain and swelling.

 

Surgical Treatment


If your symptoms persist with nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may suggest arthroscopic surgery.

Procedure. Knee arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. In it, a miniature camera is inserted through a small incision (portal).

This provides a clear view of the inside of the knee. Your orthopaedic surgeon inserts miniature surgical instruments through other portals to trim or repair the tear.

Recovery


Once the initial healing is complete, your doctor will prescribe rehabilitation exercises. Regular exercise to restore your knee mobility and strength is necessary. You will start with exercises to improve your range of motion. Strengthening exercises will gradually be added to your rehabilitation plan.

For the most part, rehabilitation can be carried out at home, although your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Rehabilitation time for a meniscus repair is about 3 months. A meniscectomy requires less time for healing — approximately 3 to 4 weeks.

Meniscus tears are extremely common knee injuries. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, patients often return to their pre-injury abilities.

Types of Meniscus Tears


(Left) Radial tear. (Right) Degenerative tear.

(Left) Bucket handle tear. (Right) Flap tear


Preparing

Preparing for Surgery


Medical Evaluation

If you decide to have an Meniscus Arthroscopy Surgery, Dr. Max Greig may ask you to have a complete physical examination by your primary care doctor before your surgical procedure. This is needed to make sure you are healthy enough to have the surgery and complete the recovery process. Many patients with chronic medical conditions, like heart disease, may also be evaluated by a specialist, such a cardiologist, before the surgery.

Another test such as blood and urine samples, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and chest x-rays, may be needed to help plan your surgery. All test can be perform in the same hospital CMQ Riviera Nayarit

Dr. Greig will review the results of your evaluation with you and discuss whether arthroscopy surgery is the best method to relieve your pain and improve your mobility. Other treatment options — such as medications or physical therapy, — also may be considered.

Never hesitate to ask questions when you do not understand. The more you know, the better you will be able to manage the changes that surgery will make in your life.

How it works?

– You arrive a day or two before your surgical date (TBA)

– Dr. Greig will see you the day before to go over the details of your meniscus arthroscopy repair procedure and answer any further questions and concerns you may have.

-You are admitted the next morning at 7:00 am. You must be fasting from midnight onwards. An IV will be started in one of your arms. Prophylactic antibiotics and stomach/intestines protectors are administered. The nurses will get you ready for the OR. An Epidural anesthesia will be given to you by our very experienced Anesthesiologist. Also, you will receive a mild form of general sedation.

– The knee arthroscopy procedure lasts about 90 – 120 minutes. Then you are taken to the recovery room for another couple of hours. Afterward, you will be sent to your room to continue intrahospital care.

-You will stay in the hospital for half a day if it was only meniscal repair and overnight for ACL reconstruction (if needed) for adequate postoperative management. We will get you up and start walking around the day after surgery. Instructions and prescribed oral medications will be given to you upon your hospital discharge.

-Follow-up care will be provided in your hotel room by my Physical therapist and assistant doctor. Your total suggested stay in Puerto Vallarta (PV) should be anyplace between 5 to 7 days.

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CMQ Riviera Nayarit, Mexico


Get in contact with us to help you to answer your questions, and plan and organized your ARTHROSCOPY SURGERY

orthopedicdoctormx@gmail.com

(+52) 322 1515 56 60

orthopedicdoctormx@gmail.com

(+52) 322 229 03 10.