The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage that acts as a cushion between the tibia (shinbone) and the femur (thighbone). As a shock absorber meniscus plays a significant role in joint stability and lubrication. The meniscus is resilient and helps you move, run, do your everyday activities. At the same time, this C-shaped piece of cartilage is prone to damage and injuries such as torn meniscus. Considering the fact that torn meniscus is a common problem we’re going to discuss arthroscopy and its role in the treatment of this injury. Read on to learn more.

Meniscus tear causes and risk factors
Meniscus tear belongs to the group of one of the most common knee injuries. You don’t have to be an athlete to sustain this type of an injury as it can occur due to any activity that causes forceful twist or rotation of the knee, especially when a person puts their whole weight on it. A torn meniscus is a frequent injury among athletes in contact sports such as football, but noncontact sports activities that require jumping can lead to this problem too.
A torn meniscus can be either acute or chronic. In most cases, an acute meniscus tear is a result of twisting injuries while chronic degenerative tears occur in older patients even with minimal stress and twisting.
Lifting something heavy, kneeling, and deep squatting can all lead to a torn meniscus, particularly if you don’t perform these maneuvers properly. Everyone can tear meniscus, but some people are at a higher risk than others. Common risk factors associated with this frequent injury include:
· Being male
· Work-related kneeling and squatting
· Climbing stairs (greater than 30 flights)
· Playing soccer and rugby
· Waiting longer than 12 months between the anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstructive surgery
· Being 30 or older (for acute meniscus tear) and 60 or older for a degenerative meniscus tear

Symptoms of a meniscus tear
At the moment when meniscus tears you may feel a “pop” in your knee or even hear a similar sound. Signs and symptoms associated with this injury include:
· Swelling in the affected area
· Pain, especially when you touch it
· Limited range of motion, i.e. difficulty moving the knee
· Feeling like the knee is locking or catching
· Stiffness in your knee
· The sensation of the knee “giving way.”
· Difficulty straightening or bending the affected leg
Most people with torn meniscus can still walk, but if left untreated the pain aggravates especially as inflammation sets in. Without proper treatment symptoms of a meniscus tear can worsen which then affects your quality of life.

Arthroscopy for a torn meniscus
A proactive attitude is the best way to treat meniscus tear successfully, but also to prevent excruciating pain and other complications. Arthroscopy is a method that can be used for both diagnosis and treatment of this injury. So, what is it actually? Arthroscopy is considered a surgical procedure which is minimally-invasive that orthopedic surgeons use to check, diagnose, and even interfere to treat problems inside a joint, in this case, knee joint.

Within the arthroscopic examination, the surgeon makes a small incision in the patient’s skin, in the affected area, and inserts small-sized instruments to magnify and inspect what is inside the joint. As a diagnostic procedure arthroscopy allows surgeons to determine the extent and severity of injury in order to create an adequate recovery and rehabilitation plan for the patient.

Besides diagnosis, arthroscopy is also used for the treatment of torn meniscus. Statistics showed that knee arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed procedures. The process is similar like in diagnostic method; a small incision is made, and the arthroscope is inserted to repair or trim meniscus. The primary goal of the surgery is to preserve healthy meniscus tissue. In order to heal properly with respective to the goodgarage.us overhead garage storage, torn meniscus requires a blood supply. The course of the procedure depends on the severity of the injury. For example, partial meniscectomy involves trimming of the damaged meniscus. By trimming meniscus, i.e. the torn area your knee is able to function normally after recovery and rehabilitation. On the flip side, in some cases, the meniscus can be repaired by stitching or suturing the torn pieces together.

What anesthesia is used?
The type of anesthesia is determined on the severity of injury and type of procedure. In some cases, patients receive general anesthesia, i.e. they are asleep during the procedure. Other cases, though, require spinal anesthetic where a patient does not experience pain but is awake during the procedure.

Duration of recovery
Arthroscopy for trimming a torn meniscus is usually performed in an outpatient setting meaning a patient doesn’t need to spend a night in the hospital. Patients may experience pain after surgery, but it’s recommended to take pain relievers. It’s important to mention that arthroscopy for trimming a torn meniscus has a high success rate. In most cases, patients recover quickly and resume with their everyday activities in four to six weeks. Only 1% of patients experience complications after surgery meaning arthroscopy for a torn meniscus is a very safe procedure. Risks after surgery involve post-operative infection, blood clots in the leg, nerve or blood vessel injury, and complications with anesthesia.

If a pain after surgery is mild, then a patient doesn’t have to use crutches or a walker, but they’re necessary in case pain is severe. Most people walk without limping in as soon as two weeks after surgery. Regular visits to the doctor are necessary. As your recovery progresses, the healthcare provider will recommend certain rehabilitation strategies, particularly if you’re an athlete. It’s recommended to keep the wound dry as it heals meaning it should be covered with bandage or gauze. Even when taking a shower it’s still practical to cover it with a plastic bag.

Conclusion
A torn meniscus is very common and is considered one of the most common knee injuries. It’s not just common in athletes only, but in other people too, especially when they lift heavy objects or twist their knee. One of the most beneficial treatment methods is arthroscopy, a minimally-invasive procedure that repairs and trims the affected area. Recovery is relatively fast, and the procedure is considered to be very safe. If you are looking for a specialized knee surgeon in, call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Katzell, MD at 561-642-1219