There was a time when knee surgery meant the likely end of a professional athlete’s career. As arthroscopic surgery underwent modernization in the last quarter of the 20th Century, the impact of surgery on knee function was no longer a game-changer.
You don’t need to be a pro to suffer from a meniscus tear, one of the more common injuries affecting cartilage in the knee. Twisting your knee while your foot stays firmly planted can cause a meniscus tear, and older patients may suffer tears as part of arthritic deterioration of the knee.
Knee arthroscopy for meniscus tears revolutionizes treatment, improving outcomes while minimizing recovery time. Visit the team at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic when you’re dealing with a meniscus injury.
This month, we’ll examine meniscus tears and how arthroscopic techniques can restore knee function and performance.
A popping sensation in the knee is the most common symptom of a meniscus tear when it happens. Pain may or may not be immediate, and you may still be able to bear weight and walk after the injury.
However, swelling starts and develops over the next few days, and pain usually increases as well. Your knee may feel stiff and unstable, as if it might give out on you when you stand or move.
You may not be able to fully extend or bend your knee, and movement may be accompanied by sensations as though your knee is catching or locking. You may feel or hear additional pops or grinding sensations.
We’ll examine and test your knee’s range of motion, as well as tracking inflammation. We typically order imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs to determine the extent of damage to the meniscus as a way to develop a treatment plan for surgery.
Traditional knee surgery required large incisions because surgeons of the day needed a direct line of sight to work on damaged tissue. Large incisions meant cutting through healthy tissue to access the meniscus, leading to long recovery times and poor rehabilitation outcomes.
Knee arthroscopy utilizes fiber-optic video and tiny surgical instruments to access the inside of your knee through small keyhole incisions. Typically, these are less than half an inch in diameter, requiring two incisions.
A meniscus tear can be repaired as a short outpatient procedure using local anesthetic with sedation, so that you will go home the same day as your procedure. Surgical time is typically under 30 minutes and focuses on repairing or removing the meniscus tear, depending on its size.
Pain relief is usually prompt and effective, and pain associated with surgical incisions is minimal. Recovery time is typically brief, with most patients able to resume normal activities within a few weeks.
Physical therapy is usually prescribed after surgery. Our team will discuss preparation and recovery protocols with you ahead of your procedure.
Contact Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic at the nearest of our two Jacksonville, Florida, locations to schedule your meniscus tear care today.
