Knee meniscus removal
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The function of the meniscus of the knee joint is shock-absorbing and stabilizing, in addition, they help to reduce the friction of the contacting bones of the lower extremities. The knee joint has two menisci - internal and external or medial and lateral.
Knee meniscus injury
Meniscus injury does not always lead to its removal. Bruises, minor lacerations and injuries are usually healed conservatively and often with complete recovery. More severe pathology, such as rupture of the meniscus of varying severity, accompanied by severe pain, blockage of the joint, or even tearing off of a part of the meniscus, requires urgent surgical intervention.
The meniscus tear can be of several types: complete or incomplete, longitudinal or transverse, in the form of patches or completely fragmented. Often such damage ends with the removal of the meniscus.
Knee meniscus removal
Meniscectomy or meniscus removal is performed when more than half of the meniscus is ruptured, since such injuries do not heal on their own and are accompanied by severe pain syndrome with the development of edema and sharply limit the movement of the joint due to its blockade.
Modern medicine has the ability to carry out such operations using arthroscopic devices, which reduces additional trauma to the limb and significantly shortens the postoperative and rehabilitation periods. Also, such methods reduce the risk of complications after surgery.
Arthroscopic removal of the meniscus is more gentle than meniscectomy. Therefore, many experts prefer it. This is also due to technical conveniences, for example, when performing an operation with an arthroscope, the doctor can see the joint from the inside using a light bulb and a video camera attached to one of the three tubes. With the help of the second tube, sterile fluid is supplied to the joint as needed, and the third is designed to enter a special instrument.
To perform this operation, it is enough to make three half-centimeter incisions, which are necessary for inserting the arthroscope, which is also advantageous from a cosmetic point of view, since no visible damage remains. Removing the meniscus is no different, as if it were performed with an open meniscectomy, the technique of the operation remains the same. It takes about two hours in length. After pumping out the fluid from the joint cavity, the arthroscope is removed, the incisions are sutured and closed with a sterile bandage.
Rehabilitation after removal of the knee meniscus
The rehabilitation period is mandatory after such a surgical intervention. Its duration depends on the degree and nature of the damage and is set individually for each patient. In most cases, after a day, it is allowed to get up and move around with minimal stress on the sore leg.
When removing the meniscus, it is recommended, if possible, to avoid horizontal loads on the injured limb for about a week. Functional support during this period is provided by crutches, which allow the patient to move independently and follow the doctor's instructions.
Physiotherapy exercises contribute to a faster recovery of the functions of the knee joint. In order to prevent inflammation in the cavity from starting, and in order to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are usually prescribed. Topically applied agents that improve blood supply and remove puffiness.
On average, the rehabilitation period lasts for two to three weeks, which is significantly less than with open surgery. Arthroscopic surgeries allow not only to shorten the postoperative period, but also practically in a day to start developing the joint with a small load. All this contributes to the rapid return of the patient's working capacity and reduces material costs for treatment.
Modern medicine has the ability to carry out the rehabilitation period in the shortest possible time with full restoration of the functions of the knee joint.
Complications of meniscus removal
Like any surgical intervention, removal of the meniscus also has a risk of complications that may occur during the operation (intolerance to anesthesia) and after it. Perhaps the development of an infectious process in the joint as a result of infection, or the formation of nerve endings near the knee joint. Very rarely there is vascular damage or blood clots in the knee joint.
Physical education or just physical exercises that train the ligamentous apparatus, support its plasticity and flexibility are an excellent prevention of knee injuries.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
