Your healthcare provider may suggest full or partial meniscus removal if you tear your meniscus.
What Is a Meniscectomy?
A meniscectomy is an outpatient, elective surgery to remove the torn meniscus in your knee.
Hilary Allison / Verywell
Its typically done as anarthroscopic procedure.
Without the meniscus, the impact of stress on the knee with activities is three times higher.
Damage to the meniscus can cause significant pain and mechanical symptoms such as popping or catching in the knee.
A meniscectomy can help resolve these issues when more conservative treatment options are not effective.
The location of the tear may determine whether the meniscus can be repaired.
The outer one-third of the meniscus has a rich blood supply.
A tear in this non-vascular part, or white zone, may require a meniscectomy.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)is used to confirm and assess the degree of a meniscal tear.
This can depend on the pop in and severity of the tear as well as its location.
Some health conditions may increase the risk of complications.
For most people, the stiffness resolves with appropriate therapeutic intervention following surgery.
Infection
Infection is an unusual complication of meniscus surgery, but it can occur.
If the infection is around the incision, antibiotics will usually cure the infection.
One risk factor for developing a blood clot is prolonged immobilization of the leg.
Other risk factors include smoking, oral contraception, andblood clotting disorders, which may require additional precautions.
Symptoms from a degenerative tear will occasionally ease without surgery.
Before having surgery, youll have an appointment with your orthopedic surgeon.
You may need bloodwork or anelectrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)to help plan your surgery and anesthesia.
This will give you a chance to find out more about the risks and benefits specific to your condition.
Location
A meniscectomy is performed in a hospital operating room or outpatient surgical center.
As part of your preparation, make arrangements for someone to bring you home after surgery.
What to Wear
Youll be asked to change into a hospital gown before the procedure.
These include aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and warfarin.
To avoid complications, tell your healthcare provider about any prescriptions and over-the-counter medications youre taking.
This should include drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies.
If you dont have crutches, they should be given to you at the hospital after surgery.
Also bring any paperwork, your insurance card, and a form of identification like a drivers license.
Many hospitals will remind you to leave any valuable belongings (such as wallet, jewelry) at home.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
If you currently smoke, let your surgeon know before the surgery.
The effects of smoking can also slow the healing of your bone and wounds.
Your nurse will do a physical exam and check your vitals.
You may be asked to sign consent forms before the surgery.
An arthroscope, which includes a light and camera, is inserted into one of the incisions.
Your surgeon will inspect the inside of your knee and look at your meniscus tear.
Your surgeon will then cut and remove the torn piece with small instruments called punches.
The edges of the meniscus are made smooth with a shaver, which is a motorized instrument with suction.
After the Surgery
Youll stay in the recovery room until your anesthesia wears off.
you might usually go home the on same day of your surgery.
Leave the bandage in place per your surgeon’s instructions.
Most people can walk with crutches after the first couple of days.
Your healthcare provider may suggest exercises to help you get back to normal faster.
These exercises can help improve control of your leg muscles and knee range of motion.
You may be able to do the exercises at home, or with the help of a physical therapist.
Youll likely need a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider one to two weeks after the surgery.
Healing
You may have some pain and swelling for about a week after surgery.
Your surgeon will let you know when its safe to bathe or shower.
They may advise covering your knee with plastic to keep your incisions dry and reduce the risk of infection.
Use crutches to help keep stress off your knee while its healing.
Usually, this can happen when you are able to comfortably put your full weight on your surgical leg.
Your surgeon may recommend using over-the-counter pain medication thereafter.
Most people are able to stop taking pain relief drugs after the first week.
Cedars-Sinai Health Library.Medial and lateral meniscus tears.
University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.Meniscectomy.
Razi M, Mortazavi SMJ.Save the meniscus, a good strategy to preserve the knee.Arch Bone Jt Surg.
2020;8(1):1-4. doi:10.22038/abjs.2019.45438.2242
Cleveland Clinic.Torn meniscus.
NYU Langone Health.Nonsurgical treatments for meniscus tears.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Meniscus tears overview.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Meniscus tears.
Ghani H, Maffulli N, Khanduja V.Management of stiffness following total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.The Knee.
2018;26(2):195-201. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2017.08.020
MedlinePlus.Knee arthroscopy.
Surg., May/June 2002; 10: 177-187. doi:10.5435/00124635-200205000-00004
