Meniscus Repair Surgery
What exactly is a meniscus?
The meniscus is a C-shaped structure in the knee; there are two menisci, the inner menisci known as the middle menisci and the outside menisci known as the lateral menisci. It is divided into three zones:
– Outer Zone, commonly known as the Red-red Zone
– The middle zone is known as the white-red zone.
– The inner zone is referred to as the white-white zone.
These meniscus injuries can result in a meniscus tear. Radial, horizontal, complicated, oblique, horizontal cleavage, and root tears are the many types of tears.
Meniscus root tears occur when the menisci are linked to both the front and rear of the leg bone or tibia bone through a structure known as the root. So the inner meniscus front and back attachment, as well as the other meniscus front and rear attachment. Root tears refer to the separation of the root from the bone.
What are the Surgeries for Meniscus Tears?
Some meniscal tears may not need surgery, while others can be treated conservatively. Small peripheral tears are red-red zone injuries that may be handled conservatively without surgery because there is blood flow to the exterior region of the meniscus, while small tears can heal on their own.
If the tears stretch from Zone 2 to Zone 1, i.e. the red-white zone and white-white zone, surgery is considered, or larger tears on the perimeter of the outer zone (red-red zone) need surgical treatment.
What are the Surgical Procedures?
Surgical removal of the meniscus – A meniscectomy is the medical term for this procedure. It should be performed when the tears are in the white-white zone and are not repairable, as well as in complicated tears where the meniscus is crushed and the tissues are not in excellent condition. It is critical to remove as little meniscus as possible since removing too much meniscus results in the loss of the meniscus’s cushioning role. The thigh and leg bones begin to compress each other, resulting in cartilage loss or arthritis.
– Meniscus reconstruction – It is known as meniscus repair. Meniscus repair may be accomplished using one of three methods:
– Outside-in approach entails inserting needles from the outside and sewing the meniscus via suture materials. Typically, the front portion of the meniscus is treated in this manner.
– Inside-out procedure – This is used on the meniscus’s posterior half.
– All inside technique- There are several applications for all inside methods, including biodegradable material, peek material, and all suture material.
– All suture devices include disposable devices that aid in the delivery of the implant into the meniscus and the formation of a knot or suture around the meniscus, which aids in the repair of the meniscus.
What is Meniscal Repair Surgery Procedure?
Arthroscopic surgery uses an arthroscope, a short tube-like equipment that enables the surgeon to look within the joint, to avoid extensive, invasive incisions. The arthroscope is introduced into the joint by a small incision, usually less than 1/4′′ – 1/2′′ in length. To view additional portions of the joint or introduce tools, one or two further tiny incisions may be created. The arthroscope employs a camera that displays an image of the joint on a monitor. The surgeon can see the joint and its features, which include cartilage, ligaments, and surrounding tissue. Once the problem has been diagnosed, the surgeon may be able to restore conditions or remove any damaged bone or tissue using specially specialized tools and/or implanted fixation devices. To restore the meniscus, doctors use specific sutures. The meniscus is a load-bearing tissue in the knee that serves to protect the cartilage. Doctors use specific sutures to keep the tear in place without causing irritation to the cartilage within the knee.
Recovery
Arthroscopic surgery for isolated injuries usually takes no more than an hour or two. The majority of patients who undergo arthroscopic surgery are released the same day or the following day. The minor skin incision wounds heal after two weeks. The patient may typically return to normal activities within a few days, although the damage may take several weeks to heal completely.