In the knee joint, a torn meniscus can cause decreased range of motion, pain in the middle or on the side and a feeling of instability, popping or locking. If experiencing these symptoms, you might naturally wonder whether surgical meniscus repair is necessary in your case and, if so, what you can anticipate in terms of knee arthroscopy for torn meniscus.
Knee Arthroscopy: Recovery Time and More
To successfully heal a damaged meniscus, the best course of treatment will depend heavily upon the specifics of the injury, including its severity, location and size. Meniscus injuries can manifest in numerous forms:
- Acute (also known as traumatic) tears, which happen when the meniscus is twisted or hyperflexed during athletics or basic daily activities like walking
- Degenerative tears, which stem from progressive wear and tear over many years
To arrive at the best treatment pathway, an orthopedic specialist like Dr. Stephen Soffer will consider the nature of your injury, your set of symptoms and any coinciding factors, such as the simultaneous occurrence of an ACL tear.
- If your knee pain is interfering with your ability to walk or go about your daily routine, or if it is located on the inner edge of the meniscus where blood does not reach, Dr. Soffer might suggest arthroscopic surgery.
- Pursuing surgery to get rid of damaged tissue may also be an appropriate option for athletes aiming to return to sports as soon as possible.
While each patient’s recovery journey will be unique, most are able to resume their normal lifestyle within six weeks to three months. Patients can expect to begin physical therapy to regain range of motion immediately following surgery and to use crutches from anywhere between one day (for partial meniscectomy) to four weeks (for meniscal repair, which is more uncommon).
Assuming the knee has been successfully restrengthened, returning to work and physical activity is typically possible in about 4-6 weeks, with approval from the orthopedic surgeon.
Create Your Personalized Knee Care Plan
As a seasoned Berks County orthopedic surgeon trained under Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer has a proven track record of bringing about positive outcomes for many patients through arthroscopic repair. To discuss your knee injury treatment options, call our office at 610-375-4949 to get scheduled with Dr. Soffer. We look forward to hearing from you!
