What is Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair Surgery?

Arthroscopic meniscus repair is a surgery to repair torn knee cartilage.

Before your doctor can insert the arthroscope, the surgical team will inject a clear fluid into the joint. This fluid will inflate the interior space and will help your doctor by providing an unobstructed view. Once in place, the arthroscope will provide video images so that the surgeon can insert the instruments through one or more small openings.

After inspecting the extent of the damage to the meniscus, your doctor will repair the meniscus with tiny staples or remove it altogether.

[x_columnize] Your doctor has recommended that you have arthroscopic surgery in order to repair a torn meniscus in your knee. But what does that actually mean?

The knee is one of the most important and one of the most complex joints in your body.

It is made up of bone, ligament, and cartilage. Damage to any individual part can dramatically restrict the normal movement of the leg and can even interfere with the ability to walk.

Let's take a look at the way the knee is put together. The femur, or thigh bone, meets the tibia to create a flexible joint called the knee.

Helping to stabilize the knee are flexible bands of tissue called ligaments.

Protecting the bony surfaces that rub together are pads of tissue called cartilage.

Cartilage acts as a cushion. Without it, every time you bend at the knee, you would cause the major bones of the leg to grind together.

The meniscus is cartilage that not only protects the bone but also acts like the leg's shock absorber.

Twisting or bending the knee during sports or even normal activity can damage the meniscus.

Symptoms include swelling, restricted movement, pain, and even the inability to stand on the affected leg.

Before your doctor can insert the arthroscope, the surgical team will inject a clear fluid into the joint. This fluid will inflate the interior space and will help your doctor by providing an unobstructed view. Once in place, the arthroscope will provide video images so that the surgeon can insert the instruments through one or more small openings.

After inspecting the extent of the damage to the meniscus, your doctor will repair the meniscus with tiny staples or remove it altogether.

Finally, all the instruments are withdrawn, and the clear fluid is allowed to drain from the knee.

Following surgery, sterile dressings are applied. To aid in healing, your knee may be stabilized with a brace and you will be encouraged to use crutches during the recovery process.

Hip Replacement Surgery

My hip aches a lot...I'm 55 and broke my femur when I was 21 resulting in hip pain now...how long before you could lead an active life again i.e. golf, tennis ??

FairwayJack

Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair, Knee

my meniscus is cracked in half right now but when i walk it doesn't hurt.only when i straighten it, it cracks and i feel pain. the doc told me that the size is 2times larger than a average person. and they gonna take that whole meniscus off for the surgery. i didn't take it yet. im 15 right now, i had it checked last year, i still don't know what i should do. can anyone help me please

SJ

Hip Replacement

I a m getting a hip replacement on may 13 i go for preop today i have arthritis really bad i had a accident back in 1997 and broke my hip in 3 places but over the years arthritis set in and my ball of the hip is deteriorating as we hope this takes away a lot of the pain

terry

This video is intended as a tool to help you to better understand the procedure that you are scheduled to have or are considering. It is not intended to replace any discussion, decision making or advice of your physician.