Benefits of arthroscopic meniscus surgery

• The main advantage of meniscus surgery is to solve the problems of mobility and pain caused by meniscus surgery.
• If the meniscus operation is performed by arthroscopy, recovery times and hospital stay are reduced.
• This article explains the advantages of meniscus surgery by arthroscopy.

The decision of whether or not to have surgery to solve meniscus problems is simple depending on the severity and type of tear suffered. 

For example, in some cases, when the tear occurs in the vascularised area of the meniscus, there is the possibility of recovering the injury thanks to the blood supply to the area.

On the other hand, if the injury is in the non-vascularised area, intervention will be necessary to solve the problem and eliminate the pain or joint blockage. In order to decide whether to carry out the intervention or not, other factors must also be taken into account, such as the patient's age, since in young people and adolescents it is usually always surgical, while in older people other routes are chosen whenever possible, as well as whether there is any associated injury, such as in the case of torn ligaments.

In order to decide whether or not to perform surgery, as well as the need for the intervention, a surgical assessment consultation with the Specialist in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery is necessary to review the diagnostic tests to certify the injury and the need for surgery.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits and advantages of meniscus surgery from several points of view, starting with the general benefits of resolving the injury.

The main benefit of undergoing meniscus surgery is to solve the injury and eliminate the pain or joint blockage that prevents the patient from leading a normal life without discomfort or returning to sport.

As we have already mentioned, in the case of patients who find themselves in a situation of joint blockage, one of the main symptoms of meniscus injuries, preventing them from walking, surgery restores mobility to the joint. Below we will indicate the general improvements that an injured patient obtains when undergoing meniscus surgery:

• Eliminate the pain: After the cracking or popping that the patient feels at the time of the tear, a sharp pain starts in the area that increases when the patient rests his or her leg or presses on the lower part of the knee. With meniscus surgery, this pain is eliminated (although some discomfort continues during recovery, gradually disappearing).
• Reduce muscle atrophy: Due to the discomfort caused by the meniscus injury, the patient tends to reduce the effort made on the affected leg, which leads to a reduction in muscle mass. This is why postoperative rehabilitation is so important, as it requires perseverance and work to recover the muscle mass necessary to strengthen the knee and recover a normal life.

In addition to these advantages associated with meniscus repair itself, meniscus repair, as well as cruciate ligament repair, is nowadays always performed using the minimally invasive surgical approach of arthroscopy. 

Arthroscopy consists of a tiny camera connected to a fibre optic monitor that allows the surgeon to observe the inside of the joint, in this case the knee, without the need for open surgery, as used to be done in the past.

In this case, the surgeon makes 2 or 3 incisions on both sides of the knee, introducing the camera through one of them and the rest of the necessary surgical instruments through the other incisions, observing the inside of the joint on the screen.

Performing the operation using this technique allows:

• Reduced recovery time: By making minimal incisions, the healing of the incisions is faster than in the case of open surgery.
• Shorter hospital stay: Because bleeding and affected tissues are minimal, the patient can go home the same day after surgery or the next day, avoiding several days in hospital.
• Reduced complications: As well as reducing recovery time, the chances of blood clots, bleeding or infection are also minimised because the incisions are minimal and look better aesthetically.

The techniques used to repair the meniscus are meniscectomy and meniscal suturing. 

Each has advantages and disadvantages, although it is common for the repair to be carried out using a mixture of both, as tears are not usually in a particular part of the meniscus:

• Partial meniscectomy: This technique consists of removing the affected part of the meniscus. In the past, total meniscectomies were performed, but they were discontinued because of early osteoarthritis of the knee. In the case of partial meniscectomy, the advantage is that recovery is quicker, as if it is performed well and no imperfections are left, the pain disappears sooner.
• Meniscal suture: This technique is usually performed in the vascularised area of the meniscus, as it has a blood supply and can regenerate. The advantage of this is that most of the meniscus is preserved, but on the other hand, as it has to regenerate, it takes a little longer.

Finally, in addition to the intrinsic advantages of meniscus surgery by arthroscopy, there are a number of advantages associated with having this procedure performed by Operarme.

In addition to the above, by contracting the meniscus operation through Operarme we associate a series of advantages that are important when you decide to solve your meniscus problem privately.

Operarme offers a fixed price that is all-inclusive, avoiding last-minute surprises. In addition, we provide a free surgical assessment consultation to get to know the doctor and familiarise him or her with the case so that together we can decide whether or not it is worthwhile to carry out the surgery.

In addition to this, there are other interesting aspects:

First class hospitals and doctors

We work with private hospitals and clinics in the main cities of Spain, with our own portfolio of specialists with extensive experience in the different surgeries they perform with us, as indicated by our patients in our reviews.

Personalised attention

All Operarme’s patients have a personal advisor at all times to help them and solve any doubts they may have during the process, allowing them to focus on solving their medical problem.

Free surgical assessment consultation

Meet our Specialist in Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery available in your city: we provide you with an immediate and free consultation so that you can bring the tests and medical reports you have, and he/she can determine whether the intervention is necessary and so that you can decide whether you want to solve your medical problem with him.

No prior fees

At Operarme you pay nothing until you, together with the doctor, decide to go ahead with the surgery, paying only for what you need when you need it.

Transfer service

On the day of admission to hospital we send a vehicle at the company's expense to take you to the hospital on the day of admission and the same on the day of discharge. You can check the conditions of the free taxi service here.

Meniscus arthroscopy surgery is a common procedure, so if the surgeon has experience in performing the procedure, the results are very positive.

At Operarme, we differentiate ourselves by having doctors with extensive experience in the public and private sector, providing a contract for the provision of medical services that guarantees the quality of the process and giving each and every one of our patients personalised and close attention thanks to the work of our patient care department.

If you are considering meniscus surgery, contact us or request an immediate and free consultation with one of our specialists by clicking below. After requesting the appointment, our Patient Service department will call you to confirm that the date and time of the appointment suits your availability.