Meniscus Repair Surgery in Elk Grove Village, IL
Meniscus Repair
As you get older and the tissues in your knee begin to wear, you become more susceptible to a meniscus tear. Your menisci are C-shaped discs of cartilage or soft tissue that sit between your lower leg bone (tibia) and your thigh bone (femur). Meniscus tear injuries can result in pain, swelling, and stiffness in your knee and leg.
At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our board-certified, fellowship-trained knee specialists can perform meniscus repair surgery, a procedure designed to trim or repair damaged cartilage. Our team will work alongside you during your surgery and provide you with rehabilitation advice to ensure you get back to the activities you love:
If you are currently struggling with the pain of a meniscus tear, do not allow your condition to worsen. Schedule your first consultation with the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists today. If you’re in an emergency situation, visit the Immediate Care Clinic at our Schaumburg, IL location.
What Is A Meniscus Repair? Understanding the Procedure
The knee joint is formed by the ends of 3 bones: the lower end of the thigh bone (femur), the upper end of the shin bone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). Thick, tough tissue bands called ligaments connect the bones and stabilize the joint. A smooth, plastic-like lining called cartilage covers the ends of the bones and prevents them from rubbing against each other, allowing for flexible and nearly frictionless movement.
Cartilage also serves as a shock absorber, cushioning the bones from the forces between them. Finally, a soft tissue called synovium lines the joint and produces a lubricating fluid that reduces friction and wear.
There is no known medicine or therapy that will heal or fix a torn meniscus. It is a mechanical problem that often requires a mechanical solution.
This typically means you will need either a partial excision (removal) or repair of the tear. Excision versus repair is often decided at the time of arthroscopic surgery and will depend upon several factors. The patient’s age, the age of the tear, the size and location, as well as the patient’s activity level, all play a role in deciding whether a tear can be repaired or must be excised. In general, due to the essential role of the meniscus in protecting the knee from early arthritis, repair when possible is always preferable to removal.
If your symptoms persist with nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may suggest arthroscopic surgery.
Orthopedic Knee Specialists at BOS
Meet the sports medicine and knee specialists who perform arthroscopic meniscus repair and partial meniscectomy for patients across the Barrington Orthopedic Specialists network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Expect During the Meniscal Repair Procedure?+
Knee arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. In it, a miniature camera is inserted through a small incision. This provides a clear view of the inside of the knee. Your orthopedic surgeon inserts miniature surgical instruments through other small incisions to trim or repair the tear.
What Is the Difference Between Partial Meniscectomy vs Meniscal Repair?+
A partial meniscectomy procedure involves trimming away the damaged meniscal tissue. Some meniscal tears can be repaired by suturing (stitching) the torn pieces together, called a meniscal repair procedure. Whether a tear can be successfully treated with repair depends upon the type of tear, as well as the overall condition of the injured meniscus. Because the meniscus must heal back together, recovery time for a repair is much longer than from a meniscectomy.
How Long Is the Recovery Time After Meniscus Repair Surgery?+
Recovery time varies depending on the type of procedure performed. Patients who undergo a partial meniscectomy typically return to normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks. A meniscal repair, however, requires a longer healing period — often 3 to 6 months — since the tissue must fully heal back together. During recovery, your care team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists will guide you through a rehabilitation program to restore strength, range of motion, and function in your knee.
When Should I See a Doctor for a Possible Meniscus Tear?+
You should seek medical attention if you experience persistent knee pain, swelling, stiffness, or a catching or locking sensation in the joint — especially following a twisting injury or impact to the knee. While some mild symptoms may improve with rest and ice, a torn meniscus will not heal on its own and can worsen over time if left untreated. Early evaluation by one of our knee specialists allows for an accurate diagnosis and a timely treatment plan to protect the long-term health of your knee.