Arthroscopic Meniscus Treatment

What is Arthroscopic Meniscus Treatment?

Arthroscopic Meniscus Treatment is a procedure to look and perform some procedures inside the knee by using a thin telescope. The meniscus is a special cartilage inside the knee that fills in the space between the thigh bone and the leg bone. Arthroscope can be used to repair meniscus tear and to trim irreparable part of the meniscus which may cause pain or catching inside the knee.

How is it done?

The surgeon will pass an arthroscope through a small cut in the skin and into a joint. Healing potential can be enhanced by inducing healing reaction, either by inducing bleeding or fibrin clot. Special suture material will be used depending on the character of the tear. Arthroscopic meniscus surgery generally lasts about one hour under general anesthesia. After the procedure, the patient may have to limit their activity to some degrees but this will be kept to the minimal using strong and reliable suture material that allows early knee function.

Why is it done? 

The meniscus is indispensable. When one lost meniscus, one create an unfavorable condition for nearby cartilage. The knee starts to degenerate, especially if there is associated ligament damage. Meniscus treatment is, therefore, not just a pain relieving procedure but also a preventive measure for arthritis. The most common associated ligament injury in meniscus injury is anterior cruciate ligament injury. This may have to be addressed as well. Otherwise the instability situation may cause repeated meniscus injury and result in failure of meniscus treatment.

Risks & complications

Although rare, complications do occur during or following arthroscopy. They include:

-  Accidental damage to structures inside or near the joint

-  Excessive bleeding inside the joint, which can cause swelling and pain

-  Infection within the joint

-  Risks and complications associated with anesthesia, including respiratory and cardiac malfunction

Alternative

The surgeon may discuss alternative approaches. For Example ‘conservative treatment’ may be indicated in cases where the potential for healing is already high without need for arthroscopic procedure.