The complex is a crescent-shaped structure that provides joint integrity within the knee joint, supports the cartilages to prevent friction and also acts as a shock absorber that prevents the cartilages from hitting each other during walking.
The menisci can be damaged in many different ways. Falls and bumps, backward movements, knee sprains and wear and tear of the menisci with age can cause tears. Pain in the knee, locking, difficulty on stairs, crunching sensation and night pain can be observed.
There are different types of meniscus tears. Treatment is decided according to the shape of the tear. Especially longitudinal meniscal tears and tears in the joint wall of the knee are repaired. Tear cleaning is performed in fragmented, abrasion-based tears that are closer to the joint.
Meniscus repair is performed especially in smoothly circumscribed tears on the outer side of the meniscus. Nutrition and blood supply are very good in this area. The meniscus is repaired with special sutures. The operation is performed with a closed method called arthroscopy. It can only be performed through 2 small wounds in the front part of the knee. In the postoperative period, it is necessary not to give load for 3 weeks. At the end of 3 weeks, you can start pressing with partial load. At the end of 6 weeks, you can start pressing with full load.
For tears other than those described above, a cleaning surgery is performed. The torn part of the meniscus is removed by removing the smallest possible piece with special tools. You can step on it the same evening after the surgery. Knee strengthening exercises are started after both operations.
The question is why repair surgery should be preferred if one wants to walk sooner. In general, the aim is to ensure anatomical normality. Our aim is to protect the menisci at all times. As mentioned before, the meniscus has serious tasks in the knee and its ability to perform these tasks fully depends on its anatomical integrity. Too much cleaning from the menisci will provide much relief in the early period, but in the late periods, it will cause knee calcification at a younger age than normal.