Meniscus surgery - Treatment of cartilage detachment

What are the most common causes and symptoms of a meniscus injury?

The most common factors that cause cartilage clearing:

• Physical activity: In particular, meniscus injuries occur most often when playing sports that involve sudden and rapid changes of direction (handball, basketball, skiing or football).
• Ageing: As we age, the meniscus weakens, increasing the risk of injury, even with minor strain.
• Inappropriate movement: Even in everyday life, people can make incorrect movements that can put the health of the cartilage ring at risk. Such unwanted movements can include excessive bending or rotation of the knee.

The most common symptoms of powdery mildew:

• Pain: Especially on the inside or outside of the knee, depending on whether the medial or lateral meniscus is affected.
• Swelling and inflammation: often following cartilage removal, but most intense a few hours after the injury.
• Mobility limitation: usually the full extension or flexion of the leg is prevented by the cartilage lesion. The torn piece of cartilage can get stuck in the joint space, blocking the movement of the knee.
• A feeling of instability: the knee feels unstable, as if it is “out of place” when moving.
• Unusual sounds: a crunching, clicking sound is heard when the foot is moved.

How can a meniscus injury be treated?

Meniscus injuries most often require surgery. However, there are also milder cases where conservative therapy may be sufficient.

Conservative solutions

This treatment is usually recommended for minor injuries and for those who are less active. Conservative therapy may include:

• Rest: Reducing the load on the knee is vital during the healing process.
• Jegging: It can be used to reduce swelling and pain, especially in the first few days after an injury.
• Use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines: They can help manage pain and inflammation.
• Physiotherapy: Exercises and treatments to increase the strength and mobility of the knee.

Meniscus surgery

Surgery is needed for major cartilage removal. The most common reasons for surgery are:

• The injury prevents normal movement of the knee
• Pain
• Instability
• For athletes to avoid further injuries
• Arthritis

The meniscus surgery

Arthroscopic meniscus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon inserts the arthroscope - a thin, camera-equipped device - into the knee joint through small incisions. This allows the extent of cartilage detachment to be accurately mapped and treated without the need for a large incision.
The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia or under a spinal anaesthetic, and patients can often go home on the day of surgery.

Removing a piece of cartilage that has broken off:

When a piece of the meniscus breaks off and moves freely in the knee joint, it can cause pain, swelling and limited movement.
During arthroscopic surgery, the surgeon removes the torn piece or pieces of cartilage to restore normal knee movement and reduce pain.

Sewing in case of partial damage:

If the meniscus injury is partial and in an area with a good blood supply, the surgeon will try to suture the damaged parts.

After surgery

• Surgery usually requires a one-day hospital stay.
• On the next day of the intervention, with the help of a physiotherapist, you will start to learn walking exercises and physiotherapy. Rehabilitation exercises are very important for recovery and should be done at home as instructed.
• Suture removal takes place 7-10 days after surgery.
• Lighter exercise can start with cycling, usually in the 3-4 weeks after surgery.
• After 6 weeks, the operated limb is fully weight-bearing.

Importantly, the indications for the recovery period vary from person to person. Medical instructions may be slightly different for removing cartilage or reattaching a partially torn piece of cartilage.
The doctor will always give you personalised advice on what to do after the operation.

Our meniscus surgery specialists