Meniscal Surgery in dubai

A meniscectomy is a surgery in which torn meniscus of the knee joint is removed completely or partially to eliminate symptoms of the torn meniscus. Typically, a partial meniscectomy is performed more, in which a healthy meniscus is preserved and the knee joint recovers faster.

Ideally, the meniscus does not have a blood supply, so it cannot heal independently. But it is possible that small tears do not pain, or if they do, the pain subsides on its own.

But, larger or deeper meniscus tears require meniscus repair.

It is best to follow your doctor’s post-op instructions for the best recovery results. The doctor may give the following recovery instructions.

• Taking medications timely
• Applying ice packs for 10-20 minutes twice daily for the following week after surgery.
• Applying compression stockings

Avoiding strenuous activities and weight lifting

Most patients return to work in 4-6 weeks after surgery. But your doctor will diagnose your knee and tell you the timeline of recovery and when you can get back to work. The total meniscectomy requires more time to heal.

The chances of requiring knee replacement surgery after a meniscus tear are relatively low in young patients. Especially when they have undergone a  meniscus repair surgery, it only reduces the risk o requiring knee replacement in the later life of patients.

However, knee replacement might be required for some older patients with large tears because the meniscus cannot heal and repair on its own. The torn meniscus can affect the mobility of the entire knee joint, requiring knee replacement.

The healing time from surgery for a torn meniscus can vary according to the patient’s age, activity, type of tear, location of the tear, and type of surgery performed. Patients who undergo cleanup or debridement of the meniscus usually recover well between 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of profession or the needs they have from the knee. Patients who undergo repair can take up to 8 to 12 weeks to recover completely from the surgery. 

Patients with diabetes, blood loss disorder, or obesity have some risk of delayed recovery and meniscus repair failure. In diabetic patients, the meniscus repair may take longer to heal, whereas obese are at higher risk of meniscal repair failure. Those patients are advised to abide by post-op instructions carefully without pressuring their knees excessively.

Also, those who smoke are at high risk of meniscus surgery failure. Smoking adversely affects the healing process after surgery. Therefore, patients are strongly recommended to quit smoking before the surgery. 

All patients are advised to avoid twisting or turning the knee in the early postoperative period because that may lead to the failure of meniscus repair. Dr Rik may prescribe knee braces and crutches to some patients for using 4 to 6 weeks. 

After meniscus surgery, patients may have swelling, some mobility issues or knee and calf pain. Typically, pain and swelling subside in a few days with medications. 

However, if you have chest pain, throbbing headache, or other symptoms involving the heart or the brain call 9-1-1 or visit an emergency room.

After meniscus surgery, patients may have swelling, some mobility issues or knee and calf pain. Typically, pain and swelling subside in a few days with medications. 

However, if you have chest pain, throbbing headache, or other symptoms involving the heart or the brain call 9-1-1 or visit an emergency room.

The meniscus is rubbery cartilage inside the knee that cushions the knee and helps in gliding and rotating knee movement. If the meniscus is removed after the surgery, then the increased load on the knee is not borne by the meniscus, which may gradually enhance the arthritic knee changes.

Therefore meniscus is removed either there is heavy meniscus damage and there is no scope for a meniscus repair, or a knee replacement is to be performed. Otherwise, Dr Rik prefers a MISS meniscus repair. It is a conservative surgery that preserves the natural biology of the meniscus.

In 85% of cases, patients will find relief from torn meniscus symptoms. Meniscus tear is a common sports injury and even young can have it. A meniscus repair surgery helps you to get back to an active lifestyle sooner.