An attempt should be made to preserve meniscal function by repairing tears, but
even after arthroscopic confirmation of stable healing repaired menisci may tear again
. The long-term rate of healing may not be as high as is currently reported.
What causes repeated meniscus tears?
A torn meniscus can result from
any activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee
, such as aggressive pivoting or sudden stops and turns. Even kneeling, deep squatting or lifting something heavy can sometimes lead to a torn meniscus.
What happens if you tear your meniscus more than once?
In serious cases,
it can develop into long-term knee problems, like arthritis
. In addition moving around with a torn meniscus could pull fragments of the cartilage into the joint causing larger knee issues which could requiring more significant surgery in the future.
How do you know if you tore your meniscus again?
Individuals with a meniscus tear
often complain of pain along the joint line
. They often have pain or weakness with bending the knee and sometimes they have a catching or locking sensation. With an acute tear, individuals may notice a lot of swelling in the knee and often report that they heard or felt a pop.
Will my knee ever be the same after meniscus surgery?
Knee Swelling after Meniscus Surgery
Swelling is an indicator of inflammation, which is part of the normal healing process after surgeries such as a meniscus repair.
It can sometimes persist for a few weeks following meniscal surgery
.
Can a meniscus Retear after surgery?
An attempt should be made to preserve meniscal function by repairing tears, but
even after arthroscopic confirmation of stable healing repaired menisci may tear again
. The long-term rate of healing may not be as high as is currently reported.
How common is it to Retear meniscus?
But the 2013 research indicated those numbers were inflated, with
less than 10%
of meniscus patients experiencing a re-tear. Patient selection and the pre- and postoperative rehab program is essential. Myth: Meniscus surgery will require patients to keep the knee immobilized for an extended period.
Can a meniscus tear lead to knee replacement?
Conclusions: In patients with knee osteoarthritis
arthroscopic knee surgery with meniscectomy is associated with a three fold increase in the risk for future knee replacement surgery
.
Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus?
Yes. Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals
. A good brace will protect your knee and take the pressure off your meniscus, allowing it to rest.
Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?
Many people with a torn meniscus can still walk with the injury
. Some athletes may even continue to play their sport with the injury, especially immediately after the incident as it may take several days for the stiffness and swelling to develop fully.
What happens if a meniscus tear is left untreated?
An untreated meniscus tear
can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling
. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.
How can you tell the difference between an ACL tear and a torn meniscus?
What mimics a torn meniscus?
Normal anatomic structures that can mimic a tear include the
meniscal ligament, meniscofemoral ligaments, popliteomeniscal fascicles, and menisco- meniscal ligament
. Anatomic variants and pitfalls that can mimic a tear include discoid meniscus, meniscal flounce, a meniscal ossicle, and chondrocalcinosis.
Why do my knees hurt 3 months after meniscus?
Swelling, infection, inadequate rehabilitation, spontaneous osteonecrosis, and arthritis in the joint
are a few of the factors that cause continued knee pain after surgery.
Why do my knees hurt 6 weeks after meniscus?
knee to be swollen, and your foot and ankle may be swollen as well due to gravity.
The fluid in your knee often remains there for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery until your body can reabsorb it
. This fluid will make your knee feel tight or stiff, especially with deep knee bending or squatting.
Does meniscus grow back?
The part of the meniscus removed does not grow back
, but is replaced by fibrous tissue. There is an increased likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in patients who have undergone complete (total) menisectomy. It is therefore important to leave behind as much of normal meniscus as is possible.
How do I know if my meniscus surgery failed?
If the knee does well and there are no significant symptoms, then it follows that the tear must have healed up and the repair was successful.
If, however, a patient is unlucky enough to develop recurrent symptoms and ongoing problems with the knee
, then the assumption is that the attempted repair has failed.
When does a meniscus repair fail?
Three months following meniscal repair
if pain and disability persist
, a failed meniscal repair may be suspected and can be confirmed by performing a repeat arthroscopy. Factors that may cause a failed meniscal repair include: Patients older than 40 years of age. Delayed treatment.
Can you have a second knee arthroscopy?
Although many arthroscopy surgeons may not use second-look arthroscopy to assess healing progress in asymptomatic patients, sources told Orthopedics Today
taking a second, arthroscopic look at the knee joint may be helpful in the research setting
.
How do you regenerate a meniscus?
A meniscus transplant uses donor tissue to replace a missing meniscus
. But this approach relies on a supply of healthy, young donor tissue, which is not always easy to acquire, and a highly specialized surgical procedure.
Should a torn meniscus be repaired?
In general,
it’s better to fix the meniscus than to remove it
. Some types of tears can’t be fixed. For example, radial tears sometimes can be fixed, but it depends on where they are. But most horizontal, long-standing, and degenerative tears—those caused by years of wear and tear—can’t be fixed.
