Treatment/Surgical Procedure...?

Question

I just found out i have a torn posterior horn of the medial meniscus. I have an appointment with an orthopedic specialist in a few days, but i am inpatient and want answers now :)

How will it be treated, i've heard microscopic surgery. If that's the case, how long does it take and especially, what is the recovery time?

Answer 1

It is treated by arthroscopic surgery. They'll make two very small incisions on your knee that are almost un noticeable.

Recovery time depends on the extent of the tear.

If the tear is so large that they cannot repair it, then they will completely remove the meniscus from your knee. You will most likely be able to walk out of the surgery and if not then a couple days. The problem with this though is you will have a high risk of arthritis in later life.

If it is a small tear then they can stitch it together. Obviously this is the best option for the long term, but it is a lot longer and more painful recovery. I was taking very strong pain killers for 2 weeks and barely able to move, it was extremely painful to even get up. I had to wear a knee brace for 6 weeks and for another 4 weeks after that limit activity to walking until it is ok.