.jpg)
Each of your knees is padded by flat, C-shaped pieces of cartilage known as the menisci. The menisci are parts of the body that are typically out of sight and out of mind, but when one is torn in an injury, it has a big effect on your knees.
A sudden twisting motion to the knee while bearing weight can cause a meniscus to tear. When this happens, the meniscus can split open or fold on itself, causing pain and preventing you from fully bending or straightening the knee. Some people with minor meniscus tears can recover with a little time and physical therapy, but many who need to regain the use of their knees for physical activities like sports and work will require surgery.
How long until you recover from torn meniscus surgery?
When many people think of surgery, they picture open, invasive operations that are risky and take a lot of time to recover from afterward. However, medical advancements have brought us far from this scene. Many people who have torn meniscus are candidates for arthroscopic repair.
Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive, which means it causes little damage to the muscles and soft tissue during the operation. This is possible thanks to the use of an arthroscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached at the end that gives the surgeon a view of the operation area. The other surgical instruments used in this procedure are also small enough to fit through tiny incisions.
Because arthroscopic surgery causes little damage during the operation, there is typically less pain and stiffness during recovery. Many people are able to return home the same day after torn meniscus surgery. Some people are comfortable enough to walk around again carefully; others may need the assistance of crutches or a walker.
Your surgeon will recommend physical therapy to help rebuild the strength and stability of your muscles around the knee. After a few weeks of physical therapy, you should regain the use of your knee for most activities. This may be longer for those who had more severely damaged menisci.
Visit iRISE Spine & Joint Institute for torn meniscus surgery
Is a torn meniscus causing pain and stiffness in your knee? If you’re tired of living in this condition, it may be time to consider torn meniscus surgery. Contact our team today for more information about torn meniscus surgery or to schedule an initial appointment.
