Arthroscopic surgery[2] , the standard outpatient treatment for more troublesome tears, typically costs about
$7,400-$9,000 or more
, depending on the age of the patient, the severity and exact location of the injury, whether related injuries are present, and the hospital where the procedure is performed.
Is torn meniscus surgery worth it?
Surgery to repair tears in the meniscus relieves symptoms 85% of the time. That means that of 100 people who have this surgery, 85 have relief from pain and can use their knee normally, while 15 do not.
Surgery to repair tears may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems
.
How serious is meniscus repair surgery?
The most common complications are
injuries to skin nerves, the vast majority of which resolve without additional procedures by three months post surgery
. Injury to larger nerves or blood vessels is rare, as are blood clots. Knee stiffness, infections, and other problems are uncommon, but can occur.
How long after a torn meniscus should you have surgery?
Activity Uncomplicated meniscectomy Meniscus repair surgery | Return to heavy work or sports 4 to 6 weeks , if: You have regained motion and strength. Your knee is not swollen or painful. 3 to 6 months |
---|
What happens if you don’t repair a torn meniscus?
If not treated,
part of the meniscus may come loose and slip into the joint
. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. Untreated meniscus tears can increase in size and lead to complications, such as arthritis.
Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?
Can you walk on a torn meniscus?
Whether you can walk on a torn meniscus will depend on the injury’s location and severity
— and perhaps also your own personal tolerance for pain. A slight tear might not feel so bad to you. You may very well be able to stand and walk on a leg that has a torn meniscus in the knee.
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
.
Will cortisone shot help meniscus tear?
Can a cortisone shot help a torn meniscus?
A cortisone shot can help decrease the inflammation and pain caused by a torn meniscus
. A cortisone shot usually does not help in healing of the meniscus and, hence, does not improve any mechanical symptoms.
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
.
Can you live with a torn meniscus?
“
You can live with a meniscus tear
,” Dr. Parker says. “And it may heal on its own, or just not cause you problems.” However, you’ll know pretty quickly when it is a problem.
What does a torn meniscus in the knee feel like?
Swelling or stiffness
. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee. Difficulty straightening your knee fully. Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.
Are you awake during meniscus surgery?
With local anesthesia, you will be awake for the procedure
. You may feel a little pressure in the knee but should not feel any pain due to the numbing agents in the anesthesia.
What type of meniscus tear requires surgery?
Grade 3 meniscus tears
usually require surgery, which may include: Arthroscopic repair — An arthroscope is inserted into the knee to see the tear. One or two other small incisions are made for inserting instruments.
Can you walk immediately after meniscus surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus (meniscectomy)
It may take 4-5 months for full healing.
The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery
. Crutches will be necessary for 2-7 days after 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 a meniscus tear get worse without surgery?
Many people have meniscus tears that will improve without surgery
. A degenerative meniscus tear will often have symptoms that subside over time and never require surgery.
How painful is a torn meniscus?
Pain. A torn meniscus usually produces
well-localized pain in the knee
. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.
What aggravates a torn meniscus?
Lifestyle and home remedies. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain — especially
sports that involve pivoting or twisting your knee
— until the pain disappears.
Can you put weight on a torn meniscus?
Many individuals are still capable of putting weight on the affected knee
and even walking normally after a meniscus injury. In fact, many athletes can even continue playing after a meniscus injury.
What should I avoid with a torn meniscus?
The only way to prevent and avoid a torn meniscus is to
avoid activities that cause the knees to twist, bend, or rotate in an extreme fashion
. If a person cannot avoid these activities, they should take as much care as possible while participating in them.
Why is meniscus surgery so painful?
That’s where – because a portion of the meniscus has been removed, the bones around the knee joint “see” more stress when you walk and they react by becoming very inflamed and can actually at it’s worse, cause a stress fracture which is quite painful.
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 does meniscus tear hurt at night?
There are a couple of reasons why your knee pain is worse at night:
Pain is perceived to be worse at nighttime
. As you climb into bed and start to quiet your mind pain becomes more pronounced than when you were active during the day distracted by your activities. An active day may cause your knee joint to swell.
What is best treatment for torn meniscus?
Treatment for a meniscus tear will depend on its size, what kind it is, and where it’s located within the cartilage. Most likely, your doctor will recommend that you
rest, use pain relievers, and apply ice to you knee to keep the swelling down
. They may also suggest physical therapy.