Knee Meniscal Surgery Q & A
What is the meniscus?
The meniscus is the cartilage that separates your femur and tibia in your knee joint. Each knee has two meniscus or menisci.
These menisci act as shock absorbers during locomotion, help evenly distribute body weight between the two leg bones, and keep the knee joint stable.
Meniscal tears are a common knee injury and source of pain. The tears may result from degenerative changes that occur as you get older or from an acute injury.
What is knee meniscal surgery?
Knee meniscal surgery is a procedure that repairs a meniscal tear. Depending on the severity of the tear, Dr. Klassen may suture the tear closed or remove the damaged portion of the cartilage.
He performs knee meniscal surgery using arthroscopic tools and techniques to minimize incision size, healthy tissue trauma, and recovery time. The procedure takes about an hour, and most patients go home the same day of the surgery.
The experience Dr. Klassen has in knee meniscus surgery makes him an excellent medical legal expert. He provides attorneys, insurers, and government entities with advice, evaluations, guidance, and expert testimony.
He also performs independent medical examinations (IMEs), agreed medical evaluations (AMEs), qualified medical evaluations (QMEs), and medical record reviews.
Who needs knee meniscal surgery?
Treatment for a meniscal tear depends on many factors, including a patient's age, symptoms, usual activities, and the location and size of the meniscal tear.
Though an experienced orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Klassen may not recommend knee meniscal surgery as the first line of treatment for a cartilage injury. Initially, he may recommend non-surgical interventions such as anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy.
However, patients may need knee meniscal surgery if they continue to have knee pain and instability following these non-surgical interventions.
How long is recovery following knee meniscal surgery?
Initial recovery from knee meniscal surgery takes about two weeks. However, complete recovery from surgery depends on whether Dr. Klassen repairs or removes the meniscus.
Full recovery following a meniscal repair takes three to six months and requires ongoing rehabilitation, while recovery from a meniscectomy (meniscus removal or resection) takes three to six weeks.
Meniscus tears are common, and with the right treatment and rehabilitation, most patients return to their pre-injury abilities following knee meniscal surgery.
To schedule a consultation with Michael Klassen, MD, FAAOS, to discuss his medical legal services or treatment, call the office today.