Meniscus Tear Repair Surgery

Initially, you’ll come in for a consultation with one of our orthopaedic surgeons. They’ll assess your condition and recommend whether knee cartilage repair surgery is the right route for you. During the consultation, your surgeon will survey the knee joint to ensure that they can recommend meniscal surgery as opposed to treating the knee pain with nonsurgical treatment. To have a meniscus tear diagnosed, the orthopaedic consultant will conduct a detailed health history and physical evaluation of the knee, often using imaging techniques such as X-rays and MRI to confirm the diagnosis and assess the condition of the knee joint. If surgery turns out to be the best solution for your knee pain, we will help you arrange the operation.

Pre-admission process

You may be asked to attend a pre-admission consultation before your surgery, to best prepare you for the operation.

During this consultation, your doctor will review any medications (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements) you are currently taking. You may be advised to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, blood thinning medication or supplements in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Additionally, you’ll need to stop smoking, as it increases the risk of complications, like infection.

Your doctor may also perform tests, such as blood tests, X-Rays, ultrasound, or an electrocardiogram (ECG), to evaluate your overall fitness for the surgery. If you have specific health concerns, further tests might be required.

At this appointment, you will receive important information, including:

• Instructions on what to eat and drink before your procedure (e.g., fasting for six hours, depending on the type of anaesthetic used)
• An estimated timeline for your full recovery
• Guidance on any medications you should start or stop before surgery
• What to expect after your meniscus surgery

Your consultant will also discuss the potential risks of the surgery and answer any questions you may have. Finally, you will be asked to sign a consent form to confirm your agreement to proceed with the meniscal repair.

Prehab

Prehab (prehabilitation) before a meniscus repair is not always strictly necessary, but it can be extremely helpful. Prehab refers to exercises or physical therapy done before a surgery to strengthen muscles, improve mobility, and prepare the body for the recovery process.

For a meniscus repair, the goal of prehab is to optimise your muscle strength, flexibility, and joint function so that you can recover more quickly and effectively after surgery. If this is suggested for you, you will be able to book in an appointment with one of our physiotherapists.

First, you’ll receive anaesthesia. Once you are fully pain-free, the surgeon will make a number of small laparoscopic (keyhole) incisions on the knee and a sterile solution will be pumped into the area to give greater visibility. The arthroscope is passed through one of the incisions in order to assess the area and see how deep the meniscus injury is.

Meniscus injuries can come in varying degrees depending on which part of the meniscal tissue is impacted. Due to that, there are two ways that a surgeon can perform an arthroscopic meniscus repair.

• Meniscus repair: If the tear is located in the outer part of the meniscus (which has a good blood supply), the surgeon may opt to repair the meniscus by stitching the torn cartilage back together.
• Partial meniscectomy: If the tear is in an area that cannot heal effectively (usually the inner meniscus), the surgeon may trim and remove the damaged portion of the meniscus, leaving healthy tissue intact.

The exact approach is decided based on the type and location of the tear, and the surgeon may make the final decision while performing the surgery.

The whole procedure usually takes 30 minutes – 1 hour. You will then be moved from the operating room to an appropriate ward where you will wake from the general anaesthesia.

Like with all surgical procedures, you will need some time to recover from the meniscus repair surgery. It is essential to rest and allow your knee joint to recuperate over the next six weeks to three months.

After surgery, your doctor may suggest:

• Using crutches to avoid putting weight on your injured knee, as doing so could extend the duration of your knee injuries. Other knee injuries can complicate recovery and cause similar symptoms, making accurate management crucial.
• Wearing a knee brace to stabilise the joint.
• Taking pain medications to manage discomfort from the meniscus repair.
• Performing rehabilitation exercises at home to restore mobility, range of motion, and strength.
• Following the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Be sure to follow all post-surgery advice provided, whether it involves physical therapy or avoiding weight-bearing activities on your damaged meniscus tissue.

We recommend having a loved one accompany you during your surgery, so they can drive you home when you’re ready.

Post-operative care and physical therapy

While most patients can leave the hospital the same day, our team will keep you in the recovery ward for a few hours post-operation to discuss the next steps.

These instructions may include:

• The estimated recovery time you’ll need (typically 4-6 weeks).
• The medications you’ll need to take to reduce swelling and assist with pain relief.
• The duration you’ll need to keep your leg elevated.
• Scheduling a follow-up appointment with one of our orthopaedic surgeons to examine the recovering knee joint and determine if you’ll need a physical therapist for your recovery process.
• Whether any current medications may affect your recovery.

If you experience any severe knee pain not alleviated by pain medication, issues with the stitches, or any other concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your surgeon or Hemel’s Private Hospital immediately.