Meniscus injuries

First of all, it depends on the degree of cross-linking of the meniscus tear. The damaged parts of the torn meniscus can be removed or sutured after diagnosis. During removal, the frayed parts of the meniscus caused by the tear are sheared off. This allows the rough surface of the torn meniscus to be smoothed. In a few rare cases, the meniscus tear is restored by a transplantation, which is sewn in place and replaced by donor meniscus or biological tissue substitute.

Whether the meniscus tear can heal on its own is also decided here on the basis of the degree of injury. You should know that the meniscus contains different zones. Some areas are well supplied with blood and other regions, which are more central in the knee joint, are not.

If the tear is in the region of the meniscus with good blood supply and it does not go too deep into the areas with poor blood supply, it can heal conservatively.

How long the meniscus takes to heal depends on the type and method of treatment and on the individual case of each patient. The exact type of injury and the location of the tear are decisive. In most cases, the meniscus takes 6 to 14 weeks to heal.

The pain and inability to move can be painful after a meniscus tear. The knee can usually no longer be fully extended or bent. You should therefore see a doctor as soon as possible to discuss the next steps.

Postoperative effect. If this occurs, prosthesis and joint inner mucosa must be removed. Knee is then irrigated several times and then a "spacer" is then inserted (prosthesis made of bone cement containing an antibiotic). This spacer remains in the body for an average of 6 months, patient is not allowed to buy 6 months. After the 6 months, it is replaced with a full prosthesis.

- Incorrect placement of the prosthesis:
- too large or too small implants
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Movement restrictions, in the worst case worse after surgery than before.

6-7 days in hospital. There are rehab facilities or outpatient rehab (4 hours a day in a hospital and treat there) → but for people living alone is not an option. 

Cycling, swimming, no problem. Stop-and-go sports, both shear forces on the knee joint, should be avoided if possible. 

This is achieved when the patient says it cannot get any worse. It may be that after the implementation of the knee prosthesis the complaints are worse than before. If a patient can walk 5 km before the surgery, he may be able to walk only 500 m after the surgery. Therefore, the right time is only when there is no other way out. 

Sedentary work them earlier than stressful work. On average, it is 8-12 weeks.

After an arthroscopy with degenerative procedures, the patient must walk with supports for an average of 4 weeks, after which, depending on the findings, a splint takes over this function. However, if the meniscus is still implanted or if the upper and lower legs have cartilage damage on the opposite side and this has been repaired, this time is extended by 6-6 weeks, depending on the patient's body weight. 

As a patient, you should leave the consultation with the feeling that you know that and why surgery may be necessary. This is the only way you can go into surgery with a good feeling. Therefore, you should definitely ask what the alternatives to surgery are (and why they may not be an option for you). You should also ask what the possible risks of the operation are - more on this below - as well as when the best time for the operation is. If you are still unsure after the surgery consultation, get a second opinion.

A surgical intervention on the knee should be avoided if it can be avoided. On the one hand, every patient prefers to avoid going to the hospital, and on the other hand, every operation represents a limited, but nevertheless existing risk that should only be taken if other forms of therapy have been exhausted. This applies in particular to the question of whether an artificial knee joint needs to be used.

The knee joint is the joint in the body that is subjected to the greatest stress. In this respect, problems at the knee joint occur frequently. There are many things you can do to relieve the joint. Avoiding sports that put a strain on the knee in favor of physical activities that are easy on the knee and targeted exercises for the knee (physiotherapy); medication, bandages, orthoses - all of these can help to reduce pain and relieve and stabilize the knees.

Even when surgery is unavoidable, it is often not necessary to use an artificial knee joint. Today, there are already procedures that can even repair extensive cartilage damage with a transplant (cartilage cell transplantation).

If your treating physician advises you to undergo surgery, then it makes sense to obtain a second opinion. Often, obtaining a second opinion is also covered by health insurance. Of course, there are clear criteria as to when which procedure should be used. But there are also borderline cases where different specialists may well have different opinions. So if you want to be sure whether surgery is really necessary in your case, you should definitely get a second opinion from an expert in the field.

But always keep in mind that risk also brings opportunity; avoiding one risk can lead to another. Going without knee surgery may not only result in permanent pain and reduced mobility in the knee joint and, therefore, quality of life. It can also have repercussions on the leg and hip, should the pain lead to incorrect stresses in the knee.