Partial Meniscectomy
Partial meniscectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the torn portion of the meniscus from the knee joint. Meniscus is the C-shaped cartilage located in the knee that lubricates the knee joint, acts as shock-absorber, and controls the flexion and extension of joint. Meniscal tears can occur at any age, but are more common in athletes playing contact sports. These tears are usually caused by twisting motion or over flexing of the knee joint. Athletes who play sports, such as football, tennis and basketball are at a higher risk of developing meniscal tears.
You may have pain over inner and outer side of the knee, swelling, stiffness of knee, restricted movement of the knee, and difficulty in straightening your knee. If the conservative treatment such as pain medications, rest, physical therapy, and use of knee immobilizers fails to relieve pain, then surgery may be recommended. Surgical treatment options depend on the location, length, and pattern of the tear.
There are two surgical procedures for meniscal tears which includes total and partial meniscectomy. In total meniscectomy the entire meniscus is removed, but in partial meniscectomy your surgeon will only remove the torn meniscus. Total meniscectomy will help in relieving symptoms, but because the entire meniscus is removed; the cushioning and stability between the joints will be lost. Hence partial meniscectomy is considered.
Partial meniscectomy is performed with arthroscopy, where several small incisions are made around the knee. Through one of the small incision, a miniature camera is inserted to see inside of the knee. Tiny surgical instruments are inserted through other small incisions to repair the tear. During the procedure the torn meniscus is removed and the remaining edges of the meniscus are smoothened so that there are no sharp ends. Any unstable fragments which are causing locking and catching sensation will also be removed.
Partial meniscectomy helps in restoring or maintaining knee stability and offers faster and complete recovery. After surgery rehabilitation exercises may help to restore knee mobility, strength and to improve range of motion.
Possible risks and complications of partial meniscectomy include infection, bleeding, and injury to blood vessels or nerves.
Other Knee List
- Normal Anatomy of the Knee Joint
- ACL Tears
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Goosefoot Bursitis of the Knee
- Fractures of the Tibial Spine
- Meniscus Tear
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
- Patella Tendon Rupture
- Patella Fracture
- Septic Arthritis
- Quadriceps Tendon Tear
- Osteoarthritis of the Knee
- Patellofemoral Pain syndrome
- Kneecap Bursitis
- Shin Splints
- Tibial Fractures
- PCL Tear
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL Reconstruction
- ACL Reconstruction Hamstring Tendon
- Cartilage Repair
- Arthroscopic Chondroplasty
- Autologous Chondrocyte Transplantation
- Meniscal Transplant
- Microfracture Drilling Procedure for Isolated Chondral Defect
- Meniscal Repair
- OATS Cartilage Repair Surgery
- Total Knee Replacement
- Revision Knee Replacement
- High Tibial Osteotomy
- PCL Reconstruction
- Tibial Osteotomy With Open Wedge
- Patellofemoral Knee Replacement
- Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy
- Arthroscopy of the Knee Joint