The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that helps protect the knee by providing a cushioning disc between the shinbone and thighbone. Every leg has two menisci on both sides of the knee. While the meniscus is designed to protect the knee, it can easily be damaged or torn when over-rotated or placed under too much pressure. You will have a very hard time placing weight on your leg when dealing with a damaged or torn meniscus. If you are dealing with a painful meniscus that is limiting your ability to perform normal tasks, then you may want to consider undergoing a partial meniscectomy.
A partial meniscectomy is a medical procedure designed to repair an injured knee by removing a small portion of the damaged meniscus. This procedure is best performed when the outside edge of the meniscus has a moderate tear. Bigger tears may require a different procedure to fully repair your knee.
During the procedure, an arthroscope will be placed in your knee. The camera on the arthroscope will let the surgeon examine the meniscus before attempting to repair the knee. Surgical instruments are then inserted into the knee in order to remove all of the damaged parts of the meniscus. The goal is to remove as little of the meniscus as possible. The rest of the meniscus will be smoothed to help promote healing before the procedure is over.
You will be able to go home the same day as your partial meniscectomy procedure, but it will take some time before you are able to return to your normal duties. Most patients are able to comfortably walk without crutches about one week after their partial meniscectomy procedure. However, it all depends on the unique situation.
During a follow-up appointment after your surgery, our doctor will examine your knee and discuss your progress. Patients with desk jobs may be able to return to work fairly quickly. Another follow-up appointment may be scheduled so that our doctor can further examine your knee to determine if you can handle strenuous activities.
Make an appointment at Angelo Mattalino, MD to learn more information about this procedure. It may be just what you need to fix your knee and move on with your life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in Phoenix!