Meniscus injuries

What are menisci?

They are cushions whose main function is to give us some stability in the knee, but above all, to protect the cartilage from the forces that go through the joint.

An example I usually give patients is that the meniscus works like when you throw a stone into a lake. Just as you see those waves spreading outwards, that is exactly what the meniscus does when we walk, run, or jump—it distributes the force in a harmonic way.

How do they get injured?

They can be injured in many ways. In sports, there can be degenerative injuries that come with age, or a bad movement can trap and tear the meniscus.

Types of approach

There are non-surgical and surgical treatments.

Surgical treatment depends largely on whether there is a mechanical symptom in the knee.

What does this mean?
If the meniscus is torn and that fragment gets stuck in the knee when we move it, the patient suddenly suffers from severe pain and the knee locks. This is called a mechanical or articular lock and is a surgical indication.

Another case is certain injuries that make the meniscus unstable and put the survival of the knee at risk. For example, when the meniscus tears from the back or from the root, it is basically as if you had no meniscus. If it is not repaired in time, the knee wears down more quickly. The problem is that at some point, repairing the meniscus is no longer worthwhile because the result will not be the same and the wear has already progressed.

Types of surgery

When it comes to meniscus surgery, there are two main groups:

One: repair, depending on the type of injury or injuries. This repair can be done with anchors, special sutures, among other techniques. The goal is to restore the meniscus.

The other option is remodeling or meniscectomy, whether partial or complete, which basically means removing the diseased part of the meniscus and leaving it that way. Both options have their pros and cons.

In both cases, we always try to preserve the meniscus. If it can be saved and repaired, that’s the best option. But there comes a point when, depending on the duration of the injury, the associated wear, or other factors, repairing it may no longer be ideal. At that point, remodeling is performed.

Recovery

Recovery is very different for the two procedures.

A meniscus repair is almost like having a fracture in the knee. Certain precautions must be taken: no weight-bearing, avoiding specific movements for up to four weeks, and then gradually starting physical therapy while waiting for the meniscus to heal or scar.

In the case of a remodeling or meniscectomy, the cut is made, and after a few days or about a week of being cautious, the patient can usually walk right away. Recovery is generally much faster.

If you have questions about surgery for meniscus injuries, I invite you to schedule an appointment. You can send us a message or an email at the bottom of the page, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.