The question of in which situations a knee joint operation on the meniscus is needed is heard quite often. Definitely difficult to answer. Reviews of people who have experienced various problems with this organ indicate some caution before the operation, so they looked for conservative methods of treatment. In order to more fully reveal the topic of the need for surgical intervention, you need to understand what a meniscus is.
What are menisci of the knee?
Cartilage pads, which are a kind of shock absorbers and stabilizers, as well as enhancers of its mobility and flexibility, are called menisci of the knee joint. If the joint moves, the meniscus will contract and change its shape.
The knee joint includes two menisci - medial or internal and lateral or external. They are interconnected using a transverse ligament in front of the joint.
A feature of the external meniscus is its great mobility, therefore its injuries are higher. The inner meniscus is not so mobile, it depends on the inner lateral ligament. Therefore, if he is injured, then this ligament is also damaged. In this case, an operation on the knee joint on the meniscus is necessary.
Causes of various meniscus injuries
So why do their injuries occur, and in what cases is surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint necessary?
- Injury to the cartilage lining rupture, which is accompanied by the movement of the lower leg in different directions.
- The meniscus of the knee joint can be damaged (treatment, surgery and other methods will be discussed below) in the case of excessive extension of the joint during adduction and abduction of the lower leg.
- Ruptures are possible with direct effects on the joint, for example, from hitting a moving object, hitting a step or falling onto a knee.
- With repeated direct bruising, chronic meniscus trauma can occur, as a result of which a sharp turn can cause rupture.
- Changes in menisci can occur with certain diseases, such as rheumatism, gout, chronic intoxication (especially in people whose work involves prolonged standing or walking), with chronic microtraumas.
Meniscus treatment methods, reviews
Not all cases show surgery, since damage to this tissue may be different. There are several ways to restore meniscus functionality. For this, physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out, various medications are used, and recipes of traditional medicine are also used.
Many patients choose more conservative methods, as evidenced by their reviews. But they also noted the risk of losing recovery time. When, instead of performing the operation, which the experts advised, they chose physiotherapy or treatment with folk remedies, it only got worse. In such cases, an operation was nevertheless performed, but already more complex and with a long recovery period. Therefore, sometimes it happens that an operation on the knee joint on the meniscus is inevitable. In what cases is it prescribed?
When is a meniscus operation for a knee joint prescribed?
- When crushing meniscus.
- If there is a gap and its displacement. The body of the meniscus is characterized by circulatory failure, therefore, in the case of a rupture, self-healing is not discussed. In this case, partial or complete resection of the cartilage is indicated.
- With hemorrhage in the joint cavity, meniscus surgery on the knee joint is also indicated . Patient reviews indicate a fairly quick rehabilitation in this case.
- When the separation of the body and the horns of the meniscus completely occurred.
What types of manipulations are used?
Operations are performed to staple or partially remove cartilage. Sometimes an operation to remove the meniscus of the knee joint occurs with the aim of transplanting this organ. In this case, part of the damaged cartilage is removed and replaced by a graft. This is not too dangerous surgical intervention, although some patients, according to their reviews, were afraid to resort to using transplants. After this manipulation there are few risks, since donor or artificial menisci take root without any problems. The only drawback in this situation is a long rehabilitation. On average, it takes 3-4 months for successful graft survival. After that, a person’s working capacity is gradually restored. Those who do not want to waste so much time on rehabilitation resort to radical methods of restoring their torn cartilage.
Recently, medicine has reached such a level that even a torn meniscus can be preserved. For this, it is necessary not to delay the operation and in a calm state, with properly organized treatment, spend at least a month on rehabilitation. Proper nutrition also plays a role here. Patient reviews can be found the opposite: some tend to replace the cartilage with donor or artificial, while others prefer their own. But in these two cases, a positive result is possible only with the right approach to rehabilitation after surgery.
The use of knee arthroscopy
With arthroscopy, the surgeon can see most of the structures inside the
knee joint. The knee joint can be compared with a hinge, which is formed by the final sections of the tibia and femur. The surfaces of these bones adjacent to the joint have a smooth cartilaginous cover, due to which they can slip during joint movements. Normally, this cartilage is white, smooth and elastic, three to four millimeters in thickness. Arthroscopy can reveal many problems, including a
rupture of the meniscus of the knee joint. Surgery using arthroscopic techniques will help solve this problem. After it, a person will again be able to fully move. Patients note that today it is the best procedure for restoring the function of the knee joint.
Meniscus Knee Surgery - Duration
With arthroscopy, surgical instruments are inserted through small openings into the joint cavity . The arthroscope and instruments used in this procedure enable the physician to examine, remove, or staple tissue within the joint. The image through the arthroscope enters the monitor. At the same time, the joint is filled with liquid, which makes it possible to see everything quite clearly. The whole procedure lasts no more than 1-2 hours.
According to statistics, half of all injuries of the knee joint account for damage to the meniscus of the knee joint. The operation facilitates the well-being of the patient, relieves swelling. But, patients note, the result of this procedure is not always predictable. It all depends on the frailty or attrition of the cartilage.
Rehabilitation in the treatment of conservative methods, reviews
Rehabilitation is required not only after meniscus surgery, but also as a result of any treatment for this cartilage. Conservative treatment involves a two-month rehabilitation with the implementation of the following recommendations:
- Make cold compresses.
- Every day to devote time to physiotherapy exercises and gymnastics.
- The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.
Rehabilitation after surgery
A slightly different recovery requirement involves surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint. Rehabilitation in this case involves a little more effort, the same is noted by patients. This is due to the fact that there was more serious damage to the meniscus, as well as penetration through other tissues of the body. To recover from surgery, you will need:
- Initially, it is necessary to walk with support so as not to burden the joint - it can be a cane or crutches, the duration of use of which is determined by the doctor.
- After this, the load on the joint slightly increases - movement occurs already with the distribution of the load on the joints of the legs. This occurs 2-3 weeks after the operation.
- Then independent walking with orthoses is allowed - special fixators of the joints.
- After 6-7 weeks, it is necessary to begin therapeutic exercises.
With strict adherence to these recommendations, a complete restoration of the knee joint occurs 10-12 weeks after surgery.
Postoperative complications
What negative consequences can an operation on the meniscus of the knee leave after itself? Reviews indicate that postoperative complications rarely occur, but they do occur.
- The most common intraarticular infection occurs. It can get into the joint if non-compliance with the rules of asepsis and antiseptics. Also, an existing purulent focus in the joint can lead to infection.
- There are also injuries of cartilage, menisci and ligaments. There were cases of breakage of surgical instruments inside the joint.
- If it is incorrect to approach rehabilitation after surgery on the knee joint, stiffness, up to ankylosis, is possible.
- Other complications include thromboembolism, gas and fat embolism, fistulas, adhesions, nerve damage, hemarthrosis, osteomyelitis, and sepsis.
Sports after surgery
Professional athletes try to return to classes as soon as possible after a meniscus injury and surgery. With a specially designed rehabilitation program, this can be achieved in 2 months, they note. For quick recovery, power simulators (bicycle ergometers), exercises in the pool, certain exercises and so on are used. When rehabilitation comes to an end, you can run on a treadmill, pass the ball, simulate exercises related to a particular sport. The reviews of such patients indicate difficulties in rehabilitation in this way, since it is always difficult to develop a painful joint. But after hard work and patience, good and quick results can be achieved.
Proper rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint leads to a complete recovery. Forecasts of doctors are favorable.