Injuries and Conditions : Knee : Meniscal Tear : Treatment : Surgical :
Meniscal Repair Surgery
Evaluation of Patient for Surgery
A complete physical examination which provides an assessment of the patient's overall health.
An examination of both the injured and uninjured knee.
Expectations for Recovery
A surgically treated meniscus which is rehabilitated properly will allow the patient to eventually regain complete strength, stability and motion of the knee.
Patients that are in good physical condition are likely to recover within four to six weeks and will then usually be able to perform at previous levels of intensity.
Patients that are in poorer overall condition will be able to return to previous activity levels, although rehabilitation and physical therapy will tend to be more lengthy and involved.
In all cases, physical therapy is required to restore the muscle strength, flexibility and joint stability due to the injury.
Post Operative Recovery
Immediately after surgery, as anesthesia wears off, patients will usually feel tired and slightly disoriented, although the effects of anesthesia can vary greatly from patient to patient.
The knee will remain tender and painful after surgery. The most intense discomfort is felt in the first 24-48 hours, after which the pain generally steadily decreases.
POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS:
Wear the brace at all times, except when bathing or showering.
Bear weight as tolerated in the brace with the knee locked in full extension.
Use crutches as needed until stability returns.
Ice the knee three times a day for 20 minutes.
Keep the wound dry. The dressing can be removed for showering (with the knee wrapped in plastic kitchen film) after four days.
Three times a day, for 30 minutes each time, sit with a large towel roll under the heel with the brace locked in full extension.
It is normal to have some discomfort and swelling, as well as some blood-tinged drainage, following meniscal surgery. If this becomes severe or the patient develops a fever, calf pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain, contact a doctor immediately.
Medication and Medical Products
NSAIDs NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are a group of drugs used to control pain. This category of medications includes both prescription and common over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs are effective for many types of pain that can occur because of inflammation of muscles, joints and bones. The drugs work quickly and people often notice some benefit within a few hours of taking the tablet. However, the complete effectiveness of the drug may not be realized for up to four weeks. For each individual, some varieties of NSAIDs are more effective than others. Often, patients will find that one or two varieties are helpful whereas others may not be as effective in controlling symptoms. It is usually necessary to try several brands and continue with the one that is most suitable. NSAIDs can be used to treat:
Pain resulting from inflammation or swelling.
Pain after injury.
Joint pain and arthritis.
Knee: Cold Therapy Cold therapy is used to reduce pain and swelling and is a convenient method to apply cold to an injured or rehabilitating extremity, such as a knee or shoulder. A cuff fits like a sleeve around the extremity and utilizes cold water supplied by a connected thermos or canister to chill the extremity. Water flow into the cuff can be controlled by different mechanisms. The simplest way is gravity; elevating the canister fills the cuff and controls the amount of pressure against the extremity. Water flow may also be controlled by a pump which will automatically circulate the cold water to and from the cuff. After surgery or immediately following an injury, the canister should be refilled with cold water every one to two hours to maintain a proper temperature. The cold therapy may also be used during rehabilitation, especially after physical activity, reducing the inflammatory heat from exercise.
Cold therapy can be used to treat:
Knee, Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist and Hand, Back, Hip, and Foot & Ankle Injuries.
Knee Examples include:
Pre-operative ACL/PCL injuries.
Non-surgical ACL/PCL injuries.
General knee pain or swelling.
Soft tissue injuries.
Possible Complications and Risks
Re-injury to the meniscus is possible if physical therapy or other activities during rehabilitation are overly strenuous.
Risks during and after surgery include problems that may develop in relation to bleeding, the possibility of infection and reactions to anesthesia.
The repaired meniscus is often as healthy as before the injury and will tend to remain healthy if not subjected to abuse.
